What is Boiling: Definition and 319 Discussions

Boiling is the rapid vaporization of a liquid, which occurs when a liquid is heated to its boiling point, the temperature at which the vapour pressure of the liquid is equal to the pressure exerted on the liquid by the surrounding atmosphere. At sea level the boiling
point of water is 100 °C or 212 °F but at higher altitudes it drops to correspond with decreasing atmospheric pressures.
Boiling water is used as a method of making it potable by killing microbes and viruses that may be present. The sensitivity of different micro-organisms to heat varies. But if water is held at 100 °C (212 °F) for one minute, most micro-organisms and viruses are inactivated. Ten minutes at a temperature of 70 °C (158 °F) is also sufficient for most bacteria.
Boiling water is also used in several cooking methods including boiling, steaming and poaching.

View More On Wikipedia.org
Recent contents Top users
  1. J

    Alcohol Boiling Points & Distillation Basics

    boiling point?? What is a literature boiling point?? Is it the same thing as just normal boiling point? What does this temperature tell us in regards to distillation of alcohol? (alcohol properties)
  2. B

    H2O (the tv show), boiling water

    Homework Statement On the tv show H2O: Just Add Water, Rikki is a mermaid who has the power to boil water. In the second episode, she boils away all the water in a swimming pool in a matter of seconds. If the average pool contains about 19,000 gallons of water, at roughly 27 degrees Celsius...
  3. M

    Boiling point/freezing point

    Homework Statement If a temperature scale were based on the freezing point (5.5 C) and boiling point (80.1 C) of benzene and the temperature difference between these points was divided into 50 units (called X), what would be the freezing and boiling points of water in X? Homework...
  4. K

    Boiling water produces how much air?

    Is there a way to calculate this? We are interested in how boiling water creates air bubbles. We want to generate a volume of 500 cubic feet per minute of air at a depth of 100 feet (which would be approx 2000 cfm at surface) in a large water tank (100x18x8). We want to generate this volume...
  5. K

    Boiling points and hydrogen bondings

    Homework Statement Explain the boiling points of HF, HCl, HBr nd HI The Attempt at a Solution The boiling points are: HF: 20 C HCl: -85 C HBr: -67 C HI: -35 C The hydrogen bondings between H and F are stronger than other hydrogen bondings. Therefore HF has the highest...
  6. T

    Boiling liquid in a closed vessel

    Hi dear Forumers, I 've run into a little thermodynamic problem: There is a closed vessel, containing a given amount of liquid. I heat up the vessel, higher than the boiling point of the liquid. Here it is what happens: As a start, I know that the pressure inside the vessel consists of...
  7. R

    Boiling Point Mystery for Ethyl Alcohol

    Hello everyone! I've encountered a small problem with one of our "special" assignments. Question: The normal boiling point for ethyl alcohol is 78.4 C, S for C2H5OH(g) is 282,7 J/mol*K. At what temperature is the vapor pressure of ethyl alcohol 357 mm Hg? Maybe I'm stupid, but I can't find...
  8. L

    How can a solution's boiling point decrease during distillation?

    I just finished a lab where I distilled a mixture of 2-methyl-2-butene and 2-methyl-1-butene in a dilute solution of sulfuric acid. The boiling points of the compounds respectively are 38.57C and 31.6C. The bp range ended up being a constant 32C. How is this possible? Shouldn't it be...
  9. W

    The Mystery of Boiling an Egg: From Liquid to Solid!

    When you boil an egg it turns into a solid. Isn't that kind of wierd?? I thought when you heated a liquid/semi-liquid it will turn into a gas. But on the other hand I get one of my fav. breakfast. HOW?
  10. N

    Why Do Bubbles Form When Water Boils?

    When something is boiling, like water on a stove, where do the bubbles come from? is it from some sort of chemical reaction?
  11. S

    Boiling the Vacuum: Exploring the Possibilities

    "Boiling the Vacuum" I came across this article describing the most intense laser pulse ever made: http://www.physorg.com/news122298608.html In a paragraph near the end, they mention this: How exactly does "boiling the vacuum" work? If we take light as a wave passing through a medium of...
  12. P

    Time to bring water to its boiling point?

    Homework Statement A 3.00 X 10^2 W electric immersion heater is used to heat a cup of water. The cup is made up of glass and its mass is 3.00 X10^2 g. It has 250 g of water at 15 degrees celsius. How much time is needed to bring water to boiling point. Assume no heat is lost and temp of cup is...
  13. E

    Understanding Boiling Point: Explained!

    [SOLVED] boiling point Homework Statement All of my sources say that a liquid boils when its saturated vapor pressure reaches the external pressure on the liquid. None of my sources actually explain why that makes sense. When they say "external pressure," does that include the vapor pressure...
  14. V

    Calculating Freezing and Boiling Points

    Homework Statement Calculate the freezing point and boiling point of each of the following solutions using the observed van't Hoff factors in Table 11.6. (a) 0.070 m MgCl2 Temp Freezing? Temp Boiling? (b) 0.020 m FeCl3 Temp Freezing? Temp Boiling? Homework Equations...
  15. B

    What affect does altitude have on boiling point?

    [SOLVED] What affect does altitude have on boiling point? What affect does altitude have on boiling point?
  16. G

    Formaldehyde and boiling points

    Hi guys. I'm looking for boiling points of solutions with Formadehyde and Water. I found on ilo.org (http://www.ilo.org/public/english/protection/safework/cis/products/icsc/dtasht/_icsc06/icsc0695.htm) the boiling point of the solution Formaldehyde 37% (and the rest Water), it's 98 Degrees...
  17. J

    Discovering the Physics Behind Boiling Water's Temperature Limit

    If you suspend an open-topped container of water in a pot of boiling water, water in the inner container will reach 100 degrees C but will not boil. Why is this?
  18. J

    Exploring the Science of Boiling Water: Why Does It Not Boil?

    Homework Statement If you suspend an open-topped container of water in a pot of boiling water, water in the inner container will reach 100 degrees C but will not boil. Why is this? Homework Equations The Attempt at a Solution
  19. M

    Thermal energy in boiling water

    Homework Statement 140 grams of boiling water (temperature 100° C, heat capacity 4.2 J/gram/K) are poured into an aluminum pan whose mass is 375 grams and initial temperature 25° C (the heat capacity of aluminum is 0.9 J/gram/K). (a) After a short time, what is the temperature of the water...
  20. K

    Chem II - Solubility & Boiling Pts.

    Hello, I needed some help with my Chemistry Homework. I have 4 questions that I'm not so sure of the answer. I've given my best try. Please if someone can help me correct my answers or tell me which one is the right one and how to determine/solve it... Thanks in advance. Question One...
  21. M

    Boiling Solvents: Safety Procedures & Risks

    I'm planning on studying chemistry in university next year and although I know a good bit of inorganic and organic chem theory I have very little practical lab experience. I want to get a feel for simple procedures like dissolving chemicals in solvents and recrystallizing etc. I want to...
  22. M

    Boiling water using electric current

    I am very new to physics. I am searching for a way to boil water to create steam and use that steam to power a turbine and therefore create energy. I surmize that water can be boiled if enough electric current is passed through it. My question is how do I determine how much current to pass...
  23. A

    Mathematical Analysis of Boiling Two Eggs vs. One Egg

    source:british physics olympiad 1993 :smile: it is said that it takes as long to boil one egg as it takes to boil two eggs. comment on the statement indicating the conditions under which it is valid? can someone give me the mathematical analysis of the problem?:biggrin:
  24. S

    What Is the Boiling Point of a Urea Solution?

    Homework Statement Calculate the boiling point (in degrees C) of a solution made by dissolving 7.49 g of urea {CO(NH2)2} in 28.0 g of water. The Kbp of the solvent is 0.512 K/m and the normal boiling point is 373 KHomework Equations Delta Tf = (i)(m)(Kbp)The Attempt at a Solution Kbp= 0.512...
  25. G

    Pressure Increase + Boiling: Does Temperature Rise?

    Here's the question: If the pressure of a substance is increased during a boiling process, will the temperature also increase or will it remain constant? It seems like it would increase because boiling is basically the release of pressure to create equilibrium. Is this right? Thanks a lot.
  26. C

    Carnot engine boiling water problem

    Homework Statement A Carnot engine uses a hot reservoir consisting of a large amount of boiling water and a cold reservoir consisting of a large tub of ice and water. When 5650 J of heat is put into the engine and the engine produces work, how many kilograms of ice in the tub are melted due to...
  27. S

    Organic Mixture's Boiling Point

    If one has a mixture of borneol (standard bp: 210 C) and verbenone (standard bp: 227.5 C), would the mixture's boiling point theoretically be the average of the two (218.75 C), or is there something else I have to take into consideration (vapor pressure)? Thanks.
  28. G

    Question: Evaporation - beyond boiling point

    Hi, I've been wonderring what happens to a substance once boiling point is reached, in particular the rate of evaporation. Am I right in thinking that further energy will cause the rate of evaporation to increase, while temperature of substance remains constant? Is there a point where if...
  29. J

    Boiling points of alcohol and mercury?

    Boiling points of alcohol and mercury?? who can tell me the boiling point of alcohol and mercury??
  30. C

    To turn 50g of boiling water to steam requires

    Please someone help me with my homework :D i have tried and tried but i just suck at science 1. To turn 50g of boiling water to steam requires A. 50 Calories (210 Joules) B. 500 Calories (2100 Joules) C. 540 Calories (2270 Joules) 2. If you were caught freezing in cold weather...
  31. J

    Exploring Dalton's Law: Boiling Water & Temperature at Altitudes

    Can anyone explain to me, using Dalton's Law, why a fresh cup of tead made with boiling water is not as hot at higher altitudes as it is at sea level? I know the law is: the law that the total pressure exerted by a mixture of gases is equal to the sum of the partial pressures of the gases...
  32. W

    About Water - Boiling and Freezing

    Water – Boiling and Freezing What started as a question has become my own answer. While waiting the 15 minutes or so for this site to send me my new authorization, I found my answers to… Many years ago I watched a science show hosted by a professor called Julius Sumner-Miller, who would...
  33. Mallignamius

    Boiling water - oscillation; when oxygen needs more room

    I understand that when the oxygen molecules are heated up in a pot of water, they will vibrate increasingly as they get hotter. I guess that's what those little bubbles are at the bottom of the pot. At some point, they will suddenly release. Is there a name for this threshold and a way to...
  34. I

    Boiling water by high frequency AC current

    I've heard that if you pass a high frequency AC (26kHz?) current through water it boils. Does anyone know if there is any truth to this? Has anyone ever done it?
  35. S

    Understanding the Molecular Processes of Melting and Boiling in Matter

    Hi. I was wondering if any of you could help me with how you would describe what goes on during melting and boiling? the answer would involve the use of molecular structures as well as the intermolecular forces that occurs between them. this is under the topic of thermal properties of matter...
  36. T

    Separating Ethanol from Water by Boiling

    Hi folks, This is rather physics... Is it possible, to separate ethanol and water by boiling the ethanol. Will the ethanol go away? Or will there be always a little amount of it in the mixture? :bugeye: Thanks in advance!
  37. R

    Boiling Stones: What You Need to Know

    What is the purpose of boiling stones and why wouldn't you add one to an already hot liquid? Thanks for the help.
  38. L

    Temperature change boiling water

    An iron cylinder is heated to 100.degrees C in boiling water ant then transferred to 145.0 grams of water in a 70.0 gram copper calorimeter at 20.0 degrees C. If the final temperature is 25.2 degrees C find the mass of iron used. Would I use mL(Boiling water)+mcT(water)+mcT(coper...
  39. R

    Question on the boiling points of ketone compared with aldehyde

    according to the boiling point graphs, i found that the boiling point of ketones when there are three and six carbon atoms, their boiling points are abnormally higher than aldehyde. what is the reason behind it?
  40. D

    Why does water evaporate even below its boiling point?

    why does water evaporate even below its boiling point? is it because the bonds between particles aren't strong (while particles in water moves) thus some escape periodically or does it have something to do with convection currents?
  41. R

    Why does the boiling point of a liquid increase with an increase in pressure?

    Ok, I have been going through my chemistry notes on molecular geometry...and I don't understand the following: In my notes it says that -"as pressure goes up, so does the boiling point" -"High vapour pressure means weak attractive force between the molecules and low vapour pressure means...
  42. J

    How do magnets affect boiling water?

    Have you ever watched a pot of water boil? I'll bet you have, but did you notice how the bubbles start off at the bottom in just a few spots as if there were an air leak from the bottom of the pot and they start off really big and then almost instantly reduce in size so small sometimes you...
  43. E

    Water's boiling point and table salt

    I was doing a simple experiment with my class to demonstrate the boiling point of water.Two of the students wanted to see what would happen when we added salt. So, the students added about 50 ml of common table salt to less than 200 ml of boiling water. The temperature of the water immediately...
  44. A

    What is the ranking of functional groups by boiling point in 5-carbon compounds?

    Assuming each of these functional groups were found in compounds containing only 5 carbon atoms, rank them in order from lowest to highest boiling point. I don't know where ester, ketone, and ether fit in. I know that it all has to do with intermolecular forces, but I'm stumped since the...
  45. W

    Predicting Boiling Points of Chemicals: Is There a Theory?

    Hi, does anybody know how to predict the boiling points of chemicals? Is there is a generally accepted theory or model to explain Tb? Thanks.
  46. F

    Boiling & Freezing water at the same time?

    OK, I'm not a science person. I'm an elementary ed major and we have to take classes in physical science to get the basics. So, my problem is in plain English! This month, I have to do a 10 page research paper and presentation on "Boiling water and freezing it at the same time." Now...
  47. P

    Atmospheric Pressure & Boiling Point: Exploring the Why

    More emphasis... I understnad that atompsheric pressure affects boiling point and that as atmospheric pressure increases, boiling point increases...but why?
  48. K

    Boiling points, melting points and absorbed radiation Q's

    hey all, i'd just like to say thanks for attempting to help or just even having a browse. i have 5 questions in which i have some idea about but still very hard to produce an answer. 1: What is the difference in boiling point of water between sea level (p = 1 atm) and on top of a mountain...
  49. N

    What is the material that has the highest boiling point?

    Me and a colleague are looking (Just for the fun of it) for the material which has the highest boiling point. Our evaporater, which we use to boil palladium, claims that since it can boil Wolfram/Tungsten, it can evaporate anything. Material physics like this is not my strong suit, but surely...
  50. N

    The surface tension of a liquid at its boiling point is what?

    the surface tension of a liqud at its boiling point is what?
Back
Top