chemical change
Bonds break, reform
A chemical change transforms one substance into another with different properties—burning wood produces ash and smoke, rusting iron becomes iron oxide.
Unlike physical changes such as melting or freezing, chemical changes alter molecular structure and are typically irreversible under normal conditions.
The baking soda and vinegar underwent a chemical change, producing carbon dioxide bubbles.
Monomers bonding into chains
- fermentationMicrobial sugar conversion
- saponificationFat-alkali reaction making soap
- esterificationForming esters chemically
- isomerizationMolecular rearrangement keeping same atoms
crystallization · denaturation · caramelization · vulcanization · rusting · corrosion · tarnishing · digestion
Substance undergoing chemical change
- productManufactured item for sale
- catalystAgent enabling change
- enzymeProtein that hastens reactions
- acid-baseProton donor-acceptor chemistry
redox · oxidation · reduction · precipitate · neutralization · hydrolysis · synthesis · decomposition
Combustion in progress
- oxidationLosing electrons chemically
- ignitionStarting combustion process
- flameBurning gas made visible
- fireCombustion with flames
pyrolysis · charring · incineration · ash · smoke · soot · exothermic · carbon dioxide
Complete change of form
- philosopher's stoneLegendary substance enabling transmutation
- base metalsNon-precious metallic elements
- elixir of lifeLegendary immortality concoction
- hermeticismAirtight, impervious condition
lead into gold · magnum opus · alchemists · alembic · quintessence · calcination · dissolution · separation
polymerization
Monomers bonding into chains
- fermentationMicrobial sugar conversion
- saponificationFat-alkali reaction making soap
- esterificationForming esters chemically
isomerization · crystallization · denaturation · caramelization · vulcanization · rusting · corrosion · tarnishing · digestion · photosynthesis
reactant
Substance undergoing chemical change
acid-base · redox · oxidation · reduction · precipitate · neutralization · hydrolysis · synthesis · decomposition · equilibrium
burning
Combustion in progress
- oxidationLosing electrons chemically
- ignitionStarting combustion process
- flameBurning gas made visible
fire · pyrolysis · charring · incineration · ash · smoke · soot · exothermic · carbon dioxide · flashpoint
transmutation
Complete change of form
- philosopher's stoneLegendary substance enabling transmutation
- base metalsNon-precious metallic elements
- elixir of lifeLegendary immortality concoction
lead into gold · hermeticism · magnum opus · alchemists · alembic · quintessence · calcination · dissolution · separation · conjunction
- transmutationstransformation, transmutation, metamorphosis, conversion, mutation
chemical changephysical change
Alteration without molecular change
change of state · phase change · phase transition · deformation · reshaping
chemical changechemical stability
Resistance to molecular change
stasis · chemical equilibrium · inertness · preservation · inertia
chemical, change, chemically, chemicals, chemistry, chemist, chemists, changes, changed