Final answer:
Caramelizing sugar is a chemical change because it results in new substances with different properties due to the breaking and forming of molecular bonds, and the change is typically irreversible.
Step-by-step explanation:
We know that caramelizing sugar is a chemical change because it involves the breaking and forming of bonds between molecules, creating a substance with different properties. When sugar caramelizes, the change in its color indicates that a chemical reaction has occurred. Unlike dissolving sugar in water, which is a physical change since it can be reversed and the sugar retains its properties, caramelization cannot be easily reversed, and the sugar gains new characteristics such as a different flavor, color, and chemical composition.
Caramelization typically involves heating sugar until it begins to break down and form new compounds, resulting in a rich brown color and complex flavor. This process is more akin to the burning of gasoline, which is an example of a chemical change, than it is to melting or dissolving, which are examples of physical changes.
In summary, the change in color during the caramelization process is a key indicator of a chemical change, and this, along with the formation of new substances with different properties, confirms that caramelization is indeed a chemical change.