NCERT Solutions Class 6 Science Chapter 6: Changes Around Us

Question 1: You accidentally drop your favorite toy and break it. This is a change you did not want. Can this change be reversed?Answer: No. This change cannot be reversed.Question 2: To walk through a waterlogged area, you usually shorten the length of your dress by folding it. Can this change be reversed?Answer: Yes. The length of the dress can again be increased by unfolding it. Hence, this change can be reversed.Question 3: Some changes are listed in the following table. For each change, write in the blank column whether the change can be reversed or not.
S. No.ChangeCan be reversed (Yes/No)
1Sawing of a piece of wood-
2Melting of ice candy-
3Dissolving sugar in water-
4Cooking food-
5Ripening of a mango-
6Souring of milk-
 Answer:
S. No.ChangeCan be reversed (Yes/No)
1Sawing of a piece of woodNo
2Melting of ice candyYes
3Dissolving sugar in waterYes
4Cooking foodNo
5Ripening of a mangoNo
6Souring of milkNo
Question 4: A drawing sheet changes when you draw a picture on it. Can you reverse this change?Answer: If we draw a picture on a drawing sheet with a pencil, we can get back the original drawing sheet by erasing the drawing with an eraser. In this case, the change can be reversed. However, if we draw with a pen, then the original drawing sheet cannot be obtained back because we cannot erase ink. Hence, in this case, the change cannot be reversed.Question 5: Give examples to explain the differences between changes that can or cannot be reversed.Answer: To explain the differences between changes that can or cannot be reversed, some examples are given below:(i) If we inflate a balloon, the size and shape of the balloon undergoes a change. However, the original size and shape of the balloon can be obtained back by allowing the air to escape from the balloon. This means that the change that occurs by inflating a balloon can be reversed. But, if the balloon bursts after being inflated, then its original size and shape cannot be obtained back. Thus, in this case, the change cannot be reversed.(ii) If we fold a piece of paper, then the shape and size of the paper undergoes a change. In this case, the original shape and size of the original paper can be obtained back. Thus, this change can be reversed. However, if we cut the piece of paper, the change in the shape and size of the paper cannot be reversed.(iii) After we roll out a chapatti from a ball of dough, the chapatti can be converted back into a ball. Thus, the change occurring here can be reversed. But, if we cook the chapatti on a tawa, then it cannot be converted back into a ball of dough. Thus, the change is irreversible.Question 6: A thick coating of Plaster of Paris (POP) paste is applied over the bandage on a fractured bone. It becomes hard on drying to keep the fractured bone immobilized. Can the change in POP be reversed?Answer: When water is added to plaster of Paris (POP), it changes to another substance and on drying it hardens. Once the POP has hardened, its shape cannot be changed. Therefore, the change in POP cannot be reversed. Question 7: A bag of cement lying in the open gets wet due to rain during the night. The next day, the sun shines brightly. Do you think the changes that have occurred in the cement can be reversed?Answer: In this case, the changes cannot be reversed. This is because the cement that hardens up after getting wet cannot be obtained back.Question 8: State whether the following statements are `True` or `False`?(a) A mixture of milk and water can be separated by filtration.(b) A mixture of powdered salt and sugar can be separated by the process of winnowing.(c) Separation of sugar from tea can be done through filtration.(d) Grain and husk can be separated by the process of decantation.Answer:(a) A mixture of milk and water can be separated by filtration. (False)(b) A mixture of powdered salt and sugar can be separated by the process of winnowing (False)(c) Separation of sugar from tea can be done through filtration. (False)(d) Grain and husk can be separated by the process of decantation. (True)Question 9: Lemonade is prepared by mixing lemon juice and sugar in water. You wish to add ice to cool it. Should you add ice to the lemonade before or after dissolving sugar? In which case would it be possible to dissolve more sugar?Answer: The solubility of a substance decreases with decreases in temperature. After the addition of ice, the temperature of the lemonade decreases and dissolving sugar in cold water is difficult. Therefore, ice should be added to lemonade after dissolving the sugar.