CBSE Class 6 Science Notes Chapter 6 - Changes

Around Us PDF, Important Topics & Questions

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CBSE Class 6 Science Notes Chapter 6 Overview

When we look around us, it's easy to see that everything is constantly changing. The
leaves on the trees change color in autumn, the moon goes through different phases each
month, and even our own bodies grow and develop as we age.
These changes are an essential part of life and understanding them is crucial for
developing a deeper understanding of the world around us. That's where CBSE Class 6
Science Notes Chapter 6 comes in - this chapter explores various types of changes that
occur around us every day and their causes.

CBSE Class 6 Science Notes Chapter 6 - Changes Around Us Notes

The study of changes around us provides insights into the behavior of matter and the
transformations it undergoes. By understanding the difference between physical and
chemical changes, as well as their properties and consequences, we can better
comprehend the world around us and apply this knowledge in various fields of science
and everyday life.

1) Reversible change:
A reversible change is one that can be reversed by one or more methods. In reversible
changes, there is typically a change in the physical properties, shape, or size of the
material, but a new substance is not formed. Examples of reversible changes include
folding paper or elongating a spring.

2) Irreversible change:
An irreversible change is permanent and cannot be undone by any physical or chemical
means. In irreversible changes, new substances are formed. For example, the burning of a
candle is an irreversible change because we cannot retrieve the original candle once it has
been burnt.

3) Expansion and Contraction:

Expansion and contraction occur when the temperature of a substance changes. When
the temperature increases, particles in the substance expand, causing the material to
expand. Conversely, when the temperature decreases, particles contract, causing the
material to contract. The amount of expansion or contraction varies among solids, liquids,
and gases.

4) Changes in State:
Changes in state refer to physical changes that occur when a substance transitions from
one state of matter to another. Water is a prime example, existing as a solid (ice), liquid
(water), or gas (water vapor) depending on temperature. Melting, evaporation, and
condensation are all examples of changes in state.

5) Anomalous Expansion of Water:

Water exhibits an unusual behavior known as anomalous expansion. While most
substances contract upon cooling, water contracts up to 4°C and then begins to expand as
it cools further to 0°C. This unique behavior of water has significant implications for
aquatic ecosystems and weather patterns.

6) Burning:
Burning is an irreversible change where a substance reacts with oxygen to produce new
materials such as ash and gases. For example, when paper is burned, it produces ash,
which is different from paper in appearance and properties.

7) Separation:
Separation involves the process of isolating the components of a mixture or impure
substance. This process is carried out to remove unwanted or harmful components, obtain
useful components, or obtain a pure sample by removing impurities.

8) Physical Change:
● A physical change is one where the substance undergoes a change in its physical
state or appearance without forming a new substance.
● Examples of physical changes include changes in shape, size, texture, or state of
matter (solid, liquid, gas).
● Physical changes can usually be reversed by simple physical means, such as
melting, freezing, or dissolving.
 ● For instance, cutting paper into pieces or melting ice are examples of physical
changes.

9) Chemical Change:
● A chemical change is one where the substance undergoes a change in its chemical
composition, resulting in the formation of one or more new substances.
● Chemical changes are often irreversible and involve the breaking and forming of
chemical bonds.
● Examples of chemical changes include burning wood (which produces ash and
gases), rusting of iron (which forms iron oxide), and cooking food (which involves
chemical reactions that change the composition of the ingredients).
● Chemical changes are often accompanied by changes in color, temperature, odor,
or the release of gas.

10) Recognizing Changes:

● Understanding how to recognize and differentiate between physical and chemical
changes is essential.
● Physical changes involve changes in physical properties without forming new
substances, while chemical changes involve the formation of new substances with
different chemical properties.

11) Reversibility:
● Reversible changes can be undone by physical means, while irreversible changes
cannot.
● Knowing whether a change is reversible or irreversible helps in understanding its
nature and consequences.

12) Conservation of Mass:

● The principle of conservation of mass states that mass is neither created nor
destroyed in a chemical reaction.
● This means that the total mass of reactants in a chemical reaction is equal to the
total mass of products.
● Understanding this principle helps in predicting the outcome of chemical reactions
and balancing chemical equations.

13) Practical Applications:

● Understanding changes around us has practical applications in daily life, industry,
and technology.
● Knowledge of physical and chemical changes helps in cooking, cleaning,
manufacturing, and environmental protection.
These concepts provide a foundational understanding of the various changes that occur in
the world around us, from reversible and irreversible changes to the anomalous behavior
of water and the processes of burning and separation. Understanding these concepts is
essential for comprehending the natural phenomena and everyday occurrences
encountered in the study of science.

CBSE Class 6 Science Notes Chapter 6 Important Topics

Let's delve into each of the important topics covered in CBSE Class 6 Science Notes
Chapter 6 - Changes Around Us:

1) Physical Changes:
● Definition and Examples: Physical changes refer to alterations in the
appearance or state of matter without changing its chemical composition.
Examples include changes in shape, size, texture, or state of matter (solid,
liquid, gas) such as melting ice, freezing water, or tearing paper.

2) Chemical Changes:
● Definition and Examples: Chemical changes involve the formation of new
substances with different chemical properties. Examples include burning
wood to produce ash and smoke, or rusting of iron due to its reaction with
oxygen and water.

3) Recognition of Changes:
● Differentiation: Understanding how to differentiate between physical and
chemical changes based on observable characteristics. Chemical changes
often involve color change, temperature change, formation of gas, or
formation of a precipitate (solid formed from a chemical reaction in a liquid
solution).

4) Reversibility of Changes:
● Concept: Reversible changes are those that can be undone by physical
means, while irreversible changes cannot be undone. Examples of reversible
changes include melting ice (solid to liquid) or dissolving sugar in water
(solid to solution). Irreversible changes include burning wood (formation of
ash) or cooking an egg (formation of a new substance).

5) Conservation of Mass:
● Principle: The principle of conservation of mass states that in a closed
system, mass is neither created nor destroyed during a chemical reaction.
 This means that the total mass of the reactants equals the total mass of the
products. This principle is applied when balancing chemical equations.

6) Practical Applications:
● Importance: Understanding physical and chemical changes is crucial for
various practical applications in daily life and industries. For example,
cooking involves both physical (melting, boiling) and chemical (baking,
frying) changes. Industries rely on chemical reactions for manufacturing
products like food, medicines, and construction materials.

7) Anomalous Expansion of Water:

● Explanation: Water exhibits an unusual behavior where it contracts as it
cools down until reaching 4°C, after which it expands until freezing at 0°C.
This anomalous behavior is significant in preserving aquatic life during
winter by allowing ice to float on water bodies.

8) Burning as an Irreversible Change:

● Process: Burning involves the rapid oxidation of a substance, resulting in the
release of heat, light, and new substances such as ash and gases. Once
burnt, the original substance cannot be recovered, making it an irreversible
change.

9) Separation of Substances:
● Methods: Various methods are employed to separate mixtures and
substances based on their physical and chemical properties. Common
techniques include filtration, evaporation, distillation, chromatography, and
magnetism. These techniques are used in industries for purification and
recycling processes.

10) Practical Skills:

● Development: Through practical experiments and observations, students
develop skills for identifying and classifying different types of changes. These
skills are essential for understanding real-life scenarios and applying
scientific knowledge to solve problems effectively.

CBSE Class 6 Science Notes Chapter 6 Important Questions

Here are some important questions from CBSE Class 6 Science Chapter 6 - Changes
Around Us:

1) Define physical change. Provide examples of physical changes.

 ● A physical change is a change in which the substance undergoes a change in
its physical state or appearance, but its chemical composition remains
unchanged.
● Examples:
● Melting of ice to form water.
● Freezing of water to form ice.
● Crushing a can.
● Cutting paper into pieces.

2) Distinguish between physical and chemical changes with examples.

● Physical changes involve a change in the state or appearance of a substance
without altering its chemical composition, while chemical changes result in
the formation of new substances with different chemical properties.
● Example of physical change: Melting of ice.
● Example of chemical change: Burning of wood.

3) Explain the process of rusting of iron. Is rusting a physical or chemical change? Justify
your answer.
● Rusting of iron is the process where iron reacts with oxygen and moisture in
the air to form iron oxide (rust).
● Rusting is a chemical change because it involves the formation of a new
substance (iron oxide) with different chemical properties compared to iron.

4) Describe the principle of conservation of mass. How is it applied in chemical reactions?

● The principle of conservation of mass states that the total mass of
substances involved in a chemical reaction remains constant before and
after the reaction.
● It is applied in chemical reactions by ensuring that the total mass of
reactants equals the total mass of products.

5) What is the difference between reversible and irreversible changes? Provide examples
of each.
● Reversible changes are changes that can be reversed by physical means,
while irreversible changes cannot be reversed.
● Example of reversible change: Melting of ice.
● Example of irreversible change: Burning of paper.

6) Discuss the practical importance of understanding physical and chemical changes in

daily life.
● Understanding physical and chemical changes helps us understand various
natural phenomena, such as rusting, burning, and cooking.
 ● It helps us make informed decisions in daily activities, such as cooking,
cleaning, and handling household chemicals.

7) Explain the concept of the anomalous expansion of water. Why is it significant?

● The anomalous expansion of water refers to the fact that water expands
upon freezing instead of contracting like other substances.
● This property is significant because it allows ice to float on water, preventing
large bodies of water from freezing solid and preserving aquatic life.

8) Why is burning considered an irreversible change? Provide examples to support your

answer.
● Burning is considered irreversible because it results in the formation of new
substances (ashes and gases) that cannot be converted back into the original
substance.
● Example: Burning of wood produces ashes and gases, which cannot be
converted back into wood.

9) Outline the various methods used for the separation of substances. Give examples of
situations where each method would be applicable.
● Methods of separation include filtration, evaporation, distillation,
chromatography, and magnetism.
● Example: Filtration can be used to separate sand from water, while
distillation can be used to separate salt from water.
10) How do physical and chemical changes play a role in industrial processes? Provide
specific examples.
● Physical and chemical changes are integral to various industrial processes,
such as refining metals, manufacturing chemicals, and producing electricity.
● Example: Electroplating involves a chemical change where a metal object is
coated with a thin layer of another metal to enhance its appearance and
properties.

11) Discuss the importance of understanding physical changes in everyday activities.

● Understanding physical changes is crucial in everyday activities such as
cooking, cleaning, and manufacturing processes.
● For example, knowing that water boils at 100°C allows us to cook food
properly, while understanding that ice melts at 0°C helps us in preserving
food by freezing.

12) Explain the concept of expansion and contraction in materials. How is it relevant in
practical applications?
 ● Expansion and contraction refer to the increase or decrease in the volume or
size of a material due to changes in temperature.
● This concept is relevant in various practical applications, such as in the
construction industry where materials expand and contract with
temperature changes, leading to structural stability or potential damage.

13) Describe the process of chromatography and its applications.

● Chromatography is a technique used to separate and analyze mixtures of
substances based on their different rates of migration through a stationary
phase.
● It finds applications in various fields such as chemistry (for analyzing
mixtures of compounds), forensic science (for analyzing ink or drug
samples), and biology (for separating pigments in plants).

14) Explain the difference between distillation and evaporation. Provide examples of
situations where each method is used.
● Distillation involves heating a mixture to separate its components based on
differences in boiling points, while evaporation involves the conversion of a
liquid into vapor by heating or exposure to air.
● Example: Distillation is used to separate a mixture of water and alcohol,
while evaporation is used to separate salt from seawater.

15) Discuss the significance of physical and chemical changes in the environment.
● Physical and chemical changes play significant roles in the environment,
such as in the water cycle (evaporation and condensation), weathering of
rocks (chemical changes), and decomposition of organic matter (chemical
changes).
● Understanding these processes helps in environmental conservation efforts
and management of natural resources.

16) Explain the role of physical and chemical changes in the food industry.
● Physical changes, such as grinding, mixing, and heating, are essential in food
preparation and processing.
● Chemical changes, such as fermentation, cooking, and baking, are involved
in food preservation, flavor development, and texture enhancement.

17) Describe the practical applications of reversible changes in everyday life.

● Reversible changes have practical applications in various aspects of daily
life, such as in cooking (melting and freezing of ingredients), heating and
cooling systems (expansion and contraction of materials), and
manufacturing processes (forming and shaping of materials).
18) Explain how the separation of substances is essential in various industries.
● The separation of substances is crucial in industries such as pharmaceuticals
(purification of drugs), petrochemicals (refining of crude oil), and wastewater
treatment (removal of pollutants).
● These processes help in obtaining pure substances for further processing
and ensure product quality and safety.

CBSE Class 6 Science Notes Chapter 6 PDF

The fundamentals of physics are crucial for understanding the world around us. This
chapter has provided a comprehensive overview of various concepts such as motion,
displacement, speed and velocity. With these notes in hand, students can easily grasp the
basics and build a strong foundation for their future studies.

However, if you encounter any difficulties or have any further doubts, don't hesitate to
check out Physics Wallah's notes and solutions. Their detailed explanations and practice
problems make learning science both interesting and effective. So let's strive towards
mastering these concepts and unleashing our curiosity towards the fascinating world of
physics!

CBSE Class 6 Science Notes Chapter 6 FAQs

1. What is a physical change?
Answer: A physical change is a change in which the substance undergoes a change in its
physical state or appearance but retains its chemical composition. Examples include
changes in shape, size, texture, and state of matter.

2. Can physical changes be reversed?

Answer: Yes, physical changes can be reversed by applying appropriate conditions or
methods. For example, melting ice to form water and freezing water to form ice are
reversible physical changes.

3. What are the common examples of expansion and contraction in daily life?
Answer: Common examples of expansion and contraction include the expansion of metal
rods on heating, the contraction of rubber bands on cooling, the expansion of air in
balloons when heated, and the contraction of gases in a syringe when cooled.

4. How does chromatography work?

Answer: Chromatography works by separating the components of a mixture based on
differences in their solubility and affinity for the stationary phase. The mixture is passed
through a stationary phase, and as the components move at different rates, they separate
into distinct bands or spots.

5. What are the practical applications of distillation and evaporation?

Answer: Distillation is used to separate components of a mixture based on differences in
boiling points, such as separating alcohol from water in the production of spirits.
Evaporation is used to separate a solute from a solvent, such as separating salt from
seawater.