Which of the following processes is a physical reaction?
Answer Details
A physical reaction is a process that involves changes in the physical properties of a substance, such as shape, size, or state, without any change in its chemical composition. Among the options provided, the process that is a physical reaction is "allotropic change."
Allotropic change is a physical reaction because it involves a change in the physical form of an element, but not a change in its chemical composition. Allotropy refers to the ability of an element to exist in different forms, called allotropes, which have different physical properties but the same chemical composition. For example, carbon can exist in the form of diamond, graphite, or charcoal, which all have different physical properties but are chemically identical.
In contrast, the other processes listed involve chemical reactions, where there is a change in the chemical composition of the substance. Electrolysis involves the use of an electric current to break down a compound into its constituent elements or ions. Hydrolysis is the reaction of a compound with water to produce a new compound. Neutralization is the reaction between an acid and a base to produce a salt and water. Corrosion is the gradual destruction of a metal by chemical or electrochemical reaction with its environment.