Which type of change occurs when a solid melts?

• A. Redox reaction
• B. Chemical change
• C. Physical change
• D. Nuclear change

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the difference between physical and chemical changes: A physical change affects the form of a substance but not its chemical composition, while a chemical change results in the formation of new substances with different properties.
2. Recognize that melting is the process where a solid turns into a liquid by gaining heat, but the substance's chemical identity remains the same.
3. Identify that during melting, no new substances are formed and no chemical bonds are broken or formed; only the physical state changes.
4. Recall that redox reactions involve the transfer of electrons and changes in oxidation states, which do not occur during melting.
5. Conclude that melting is a physical change because it involves a change in state without altering the chemical composition of the substance.