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What is Reversible and Irreversible changes ?

A reversible change is the one in which a substance that is undergoing the change can be recovered in its original form.

For example, when ice cubes are kept at room temperature for some time, they melt to give water. If the same tray containing water is kept in a freezer, then the water turns into ice. As the ice cubes are re-obtained when the tray is kept in the freezer, the change is reversible.

The change in which a substance that is undergoing the change cannot be re-obtained is known as an irreversible change. Hence, it can be said that an irreversible change is the one in which a substance that is undergoing the change cannot be recovered in its original form. For example, when an egg is boiled, it cannot be changed back into its original form. Hence it is an irreversible change.

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in reversible changes we get the original material back, no new substance is formed. in irreversible changes a new substance is formed, a smell may be produced,heat may be involved, a light may be given out and we can not get the original substace back.

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A reversible change is the one in which a substance that is undergoing the change can be recovered in its original form is called Reversible changes.

Example -Cooking of food

The change in which a substance that is undergoing the change cannot be re-obtained is known as an irreversible change.

Example -Melting of ice-cubes

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A reversible chage is a change which can be recovered in its original form.

Eg: heating of ice

A irreversible change is a change which cannot be recovered in its original form.

Eg: cooking of food.

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The change which can be reversed by reversing the condition or removing the cause is called a reversible change. Some reversible changes are,

  • Conversion of ice by heating and that of water into ice on cooling.
  • Glowing of an electric bulb.
  • Stretching of a rubber band.
  • Ploughing a field.
  • Dissolution of sugar in water.

The change which cannot be reversed even by changing the conditions or by removing the cause is called an irreversible change. Some irreversible changes are,

  • Burning of paper, wood etc. - Paper when burnt give ash and smoke. We cannot obtain paper back from the ash and the smoke. Therefore this change is irreversible.
  • Ageing of living beings - We cannot make an old man, a child by any method.Therefore ageing of living things is an irreversible change.
  • Changing of milk into curd - We cannot get milk back from curd. So it is an irreversible change.
  • Growth of plants - A tree cannot be reversed back into a plant or seed.Therefore, growth of a plant is an irreversible change.
  • Rusting of iron - We cannot get back iron from the rusted-iron by simple process. That is why rusting of iron is an irreversible change.
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