Add a metabolic poison to the water to block any active metabolism and see if the seed germinates the same as without the poison.
The percent increase in mass decreases with rising temperature. As temperature rises, its value approaches that of the percent increase in mass.
There are two types of requirements for microbial growth: physical and chemical. Osmotic pressure, pH, and temperature are examples of physical factors.
Water, supplies of carbon and nitrogen, minerals, oxygen, and organic growth stimulants are all chemical necessities.
hence by using poison to block the active metabolism of seed the chemical growth will be restricted. If the seed still swells this means that it is a physical process.
If the seed swelling stops then the process is considered chemical.