Which statement best describes a system in which sugar crystals are dissolving in water?

• A. The sugar crystals remain unchanged and do not interact with the water molecules.
• B. A physical change is occurring as the sugar molecules disperse throughout the water.
• C. The process is irreversible and the sugar cannot be recovered from the solution.
• D. A chemical reaction is taking place, forming new compounds from sugar and water.

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the nature of the process when sugar crystals dissolve in water: consider whether the sugar molecules change their chemical identity or simply disperse physically.
2. Recall that dissolving sugar in water involves sugar molecules separating from the solid crystal and dispersing uniformly throughout the water, but the sugar molecules themselves remain chemically unchanged.
3. Understand that this process is classified as a physical change because no new substances are formed; the sugar can be recovered by evaporating the water.
4. Recognize that a chemical change would involve breaking and forming chemical bonds to create new compounds, which does not happen in this case.
5. Conclude that the best description is that a physical change is occurring as the sugar molecules disperse throughout the water.