| physical change | chemical change |
| 1. | In a physical change, only physical properties such as colour, physical state, density, volume, etc. change; chemical properties remain unchanged. | In a chemical change, the chemical composition and chemical properties undergo a change. |
| 2. | No new substance is formed in a physical change. | A new substance is formed in a chemical change. |
| 3. | Very little or no energy in the form of heat, light or sound is usually absorbed or given out in a physical change. | A chemical change is always accompanied by absorption or evolution of energy. |
| 4. | A physical change is a temporary change. | A chemical change is a permanent change. |
| 5. | The original form of substance can be regained by simple physical methods. | Original substance cannot be obtained by simple physical methods. |
| 6. | A physical change is reversible. | A chemical change is irreversible. |
