Name of Chapter: CHANGES AROUND US

Bullet points:
 Changes that occur around us can be broadly categorized as reversible or irreversible
depending on whether or not they can be reversed.
 Reversible Change: A change in which the initial substance can be obtained back by
reversing the action. Example: Folding of Paper, dissolving sugar in water, etc.
 They are temporary change. No new substance is formed during a reversible change.
 Irreversible change: Changes in which the initial substance cannot be obtained back by
reversing the action. Example: Burning of Paper, grinding grains, etc.
 They are permanent change. New substance/substances may form during an irreversible
change
 We can bring about a change in a substance by doing one or more of the following
processes:
➢ Heating.
➢ Applying force.
➢ Mixing it with something else.
 Expansion and contraction of metals: Metals like iron expands on heating and contracts
on cooling.

NCERT Textbook Questions (ANSWER KEY)

Q1: To walk through a waterlogged area, you usually shorten the length of your dress by
folding it. Can this change be reversed?
Ans 1: Yes, by unfolding the dress this change can be reversed.
Q2: You accidentally dropped your favourite toy and broke it. This is a change you did
not want. Can this change be reversed?
Ans 2: No, it cannot be reversed, so it is an irreversible change.
Q3: Some changes are listed in the following table. For each change, write in the blank
column, whether the change can be reversed or not.
Ans 3: 1. sawing of a piece of wood NO
2. melting of ice candy YES
3. dissolving sugar in water YES
4. cooking of food NO
5. ripening of a mango NO
6. Souring of milk NO
Q4: A drawing sheet changes when you draw a picture on it. Can you reverse this
change?
Ans 4: No, we cannot get fresh drawing sheet once a picture is drawn on it with pen,
crayon, etc. However, we can reverse the change, if soft pencil is used to draw the
picture.
Q5: Give examples to explain the difference between changes that can or cannot be
reversed.
Ans 5: Examples of Reversible Changes:
• Melting of Ice into water. By freezing the water we can obtain ice again.
• Folding a paper: By unfolding it, we can undo the change.
• Hot milk to cold milk: By boiling milk, we can make it warm.
Example of Irreversible Changes:
• Burning of paper.
• Bursting of crackers.
• Cutting of fruits.
Q6: A thick coating of a paste of Plaster of Paris (POP) is applied over the bandage on a
fractured bone. It becomes hard on drying to keep the fractured bone immobilised. Can
the change in POP be reversed?
Ans 6: The change in POP cannot be reversed.
Q7: A bag of cement lying in the open gets wet due to rain during the night. The next
day the sun shines brightly. Do you think the changes, which have occurred in the
cement, could be reversed?
Ans 7: The change in cement cannot be reversed.