Can a physical change result in the formation of a new substance?

A physical change involves alterations in the physical properties of a substance without changing its chemical composition. This means that during a physical change, the molecules of the substance remain the same, even though they may be arranged differently or may exist in a different phase (such as solid, liquid, or gas). Common examples of physical changes include melting, freezing, boiling, and dissolving.

Since a physical change does not result in a new substance being formed, the correct choice is one that accurately reflects this understanding. In contrast, chemical changes lead to the formation of new substances with different chemical properties as bonds are broken and formed during a chemical reaction.

While some changes, like freezing or boiling, may alter the state of a substance, they do not create a new substance; they merely involve a transition between physical states. Therefore, it's accurate to conclude that physical changes, by nature, do not produce new substances.