Washington Esthetician State Board Practice Exam

What occurs during a chemical reaction?

1. Atoms are destroyed

2. New compounds are created

3. Heat is absorbed only

4. Only gases are produced

The correct answer is: New compounds are created

During a chemical reaction, new compounds are created as existing substances undergo a transformation. Chemical reactions involve the rearrangement of atoms; bonds between atoms in the reactants are broken, and new bonds are formed to create products that can be entirely different compounds from the original substances. This process is fundamental in various fields, including chemistry, biology, and esthetics, as it enables transformations that are essential for many applications, from skin care formulations to chemical peels. The creation of new compounds is a key characteristic of chemical reactions, distinguishing them from physical changes, where no new substances are formed. While it is true that heat can be absorbed or released during chemical reactions, this is not the central defining feature of the reaction itself. The production of different states of matter, such as gases, may also occur during some reactions, but it is not universally applicable to all chemical reactions. Therefore, the primary outcome of a chemical reaction is the formation of new structures with distinct properties.