Cambridge Primary 5 Science: Reversible and Irreversible Changes This lesson quiz helps learners distinguish reversible changes from irreversible changes using evidence from everyday materials.
Use the model. Which change is reversible?
A
rusting iron
B
melting chocolate and letting it set again
C
baking a cake
D
burning wood
Explanation
Melting and solidifying can be reversed by cooling and heating.
Which change is usually irreversible?
A
melting wax
B
freezing water
C
burning paper
D
evaporating water
Explanation
Burning forms new substances such as ash and gases.
What does reversible mean?
A
A new animal is made
B
The material becomes heavier only
C
The material disappears forever
D
The material can be changed back by a physical process
Explanation
Reversible changes can be undone.
What often shows an irreversible change?
A
a new substance is formed
B
the object moves position
C
the material is measured
D
the colour is liked
Explanation
Chemical changes often form new substances.
Which is evidence that a new substance may have formed?
A
moving a magnet near iron
B
gas bubbles from a reaction
C
cutting paper into pieces only
D
pouring water into a cup
Explanation
Gas production can indicate a chemical reaction.
Which is a reversible change involving salt?
A
burning salt
B
cooking salt into bread
C
dissolving salt in water then evaporating the water
D
turning salt into smoke
Explanation
Evaporation can recover the salt.
Which is an irreversible cooking change?
A
melting ice
B
freezing juice
C
condensing steam
D
frying an egg
Explanation
Cooking egg changes proteins and cannot be undone easily.
Which change is physical and reversible?
A
stretching a rubber band within its limit
B
rusting a nail
C
burning petrol
D
baking dough
Explanation
The rubber can return to its shape.
Why is rusting irreversible in everyday conditions?
A
The nail melts
B
A new substance, rust, forms
C
The iron becomes water
D
Iron only changes position
Explanation
Rust is iron oxide, a different substance.
Which pair is correctly classified?
A
baking bread - reversible by freezing
B
rusting - reversible by cooling
C
melting wax - reversible
D
burning candle wick - reversible
Explanation
Wax can solidify again after melting.
A sugar cube is crushed into powder. Is this reversible?
A
Irreversible because it burns
B
It forms metal
C
It makes a new gas
D
Mostly reversible in shape? No, but no new substance forms
Explanation
The substance is still sugar, although the original cube shape is not easily restored.
Which change forms a new substance?
A
vinegar reacting with bicarbonate of soda
B
glass breaking
C
ice melting
D
water evaporating
Explanation
The reaction produces carbon dioxide gas and other products.
What is the best test for reversibility?
A
Ask if the material is useful
B
Try to recover the original material safely
C
Guess from colour only
D
Measure the table
Explanation
Recovery of the original material is key evidence.
Which change is reversible by cooling?
A
burned toast becoming bread
B
rust becoming iron by cooling
C
melted butter becoming solid again
D
cooked rice becoming raw grains
Explanation
Cooling can solidify melted butter.
Which change is reversible by heating?
A
rust becoming iron
B
ash becoming wood
C
fried egg becoming raw egg
D
ice becoming water
Explanation
Heating melts ice.
Which observation suggests an irreversible chemical change?
A
temperature changes without external heating
B
shape changes after cutting
C
sand is poured
D
water changes container
Explanation
Reactions may release or absorb thermal energy.
Why is mixing sand and water reversible?
A
The water burns
B
Sand can be separated by filtering or settling
C
A new substance forms
D
Sand dissolves permanently
Explanation
The materials remain sand and water.
Why is mixing cement with water usually irreversible?
A
It remains unchanged forever
B
It is just evaporation
C
It sets to form a hard new material
D
It turns into ice
Explanation
Setting cement involves chemical changes.
Which statement is accurate?
A
Every change is reversible
B
Only colour changes are reversible
C
No change is reversible
D
Some physical changes are reversible, but not all changes are easy to reverse
Explanation
Reversibility depends on the change and method.
Which summary is best?
A
Reversible changes recover original materials; irreversible changes often make new substances
B
Reversible changes always burn
C
All dissolving is irreversible
D
Irreversible changes always freeze
Explanation
This captures the main distinction.