QQuestionChemistry
QuestionChemistry
Is the baking of a cake a chemical change or a physical change? Justify your answer.
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Answer
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Step 1: To determine whether baking a cake is a chemical or physical change, we need to understand the definitions of both types of changes.
A physical change is a change in which the physical properties of a substance, such as its size, shape, or state of matter, are altered, but the chemical composition remains the same. Examples include cutting paper, melting ice, and breaking a glass. A chemical change, also known as a chemical reaction, is a process that results in the transformation of one or more substances into new substances with different chemical properties and compositions. Examples include burning wood, rusting of iron, and baking a cake.
Step 2: In the baking of a cake, several chemical reactions occur.
The most significant ones are the interaction between the baking powder (or baking soda) and the other ingredients (flour, sugar, eggs, etc.), which releases carbon dioxide gas, causing the cake to rise. Additionally, the proteins in the flour denature, rearrange, and bind together to form a network, giving the cake its structure. These chemical reactions result in the creation of new substances with different properties than the original ingredients.
Final Answer
Baking a cake is a chemical change.
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