A container is observed to have water boiling and turning into steam. What does this represent about the type of change happening in the container?

• A. A nuclear change, because the water molecules are splitting into atoms.
• B. A physical change, because the water is changing state but not its chemical composition.
• C. A chemical change, because new substances are formed during boiling.
• D. No change is occurring, because boiling is not a change.

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the process described: water boiling and turning into steam is a phase change from liquid to gas.
2. Recall that a physical change involves a change in the state or appearance of a substance without altering its chemical composition.
3. Understand that during boiling, water molecules remain H\_2O; they do not break down into atoms or form new substances.
4. Recognize that a chemical change involves the formation of new substances with different chemical properties, which does not happen here.
5. Conclude that boiling water is a physical change because it changes state but the chemical identity of water remains the same.