What type of change occurs when rubbing alcohol evaporates?

When rubbing alcohol evaporates, it undergoes a physical change. This is because evaporation involves a change from the liquid phase to the gas phase, which does not alter the chemical composition of the substance. The molecules of rubbing alcohol remain the same before and after evaporation; they simply transition from a liquid state to a gaseous state due to the increase in temperature or decrease in pressure.

In a physical change, only the state of matter changes, while the substance's identity and composition remain intact. This contrasts with a chemical change, where a substance transforms into one or more different substances, with bonds being broken and formed, leading to a change in the chemical structure.

Thus, understanding the distinction between physical and chemical changes is essential, as it clarifies how substances behave under different conditions without altering their chemical identity.