Which of the following is an example of a physical change?

• A. Baking a cake
• B. Rusting of iron
• C. Burning of wood
• D. Melting of ice

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the difference between physical and chemical changes: A physical change affects the form or appearance of a substance but does not change its chemical composition, while a chemical change results in the formation of new substances with different properties.
2. Analyze each option to determine if the chemical composition changes: Baking a cake involves chemical reactions forming new substances, so it is a chemical change.
3. Rusting of iron is a chemical change because iron reacts with oxygen to form iron oxide, a new substance.
4. Burning of wood is a chemical change because it produces new substances like ash, carbon dioxide, and water vapor.
5. Melting of ice is a physical change because it involves a change in state from solid to liquid without altering the chemical composition of water (H\_2O).