Boiling Points and Melting Points

In summary, Laura Fermi explains a question posed by her husband, Enrico Fermi, about frying in olive oil inside a tinned skillet. Despite initial trepidation, Laura is able to correctly answer the question by stating that it is the water in the food that boils, not the oil itself. This makes it seem like the oil is boiling when it actually isn't. This is due to the fact that the boiling point of water is lower than the boiling point of olive oil.
  • #1
Herricane
61
1
In Atoms in the Family: My Life with Enrico Fermi, Laura Fermi explains some of the games they played when they were in college. The following is an excerpt from the book which I need help understanding.

"As you know, the boiling point of olive oil is higher than the melting point of tin. How can you explain that it is possible to fry in olive oil inside a tinned skillet?" (The best Italian skillets are made of tin-lined copper.)
Despite her trepidation Ginestra was able to figure out the correct answer:
"Oil does not boil, when frying. It's the water in the food that boils!"

So, does this mean that the olive oil doesn't actually reach the boiling point, but that the water is what is boiling, Right? And that the water makes the oil seem like it is boiling when it isn't actually boiling?

Do you know of any more type of tricky questions?
 
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  • #2
Herricane said:
So, does this mean that the olive oil doesn't actually reach the boiling point, but that the water is what is boiling, Right? And that the water makes the oil seem like it is boiling when it isn't actually boiling?

Yes.
 
  • #3
Would it help to know that the boiling point of water is lower than the boiling point of olive oil?
 

What is the difference between boiling point and melting point?

The boiling point is the temperature at which a substance changes from a liquid to a gas, while the melting point is the temperature at which a substance changes from a solid to a liquid.

How are boiling and melting points determined?

Boiling and melting points are determined by measuring the temperature at which a substance changes its state. This is typically done by gradually heating or cooling the substance and recording the temperature at which the change occurs.

What factors can affect the boiling and melting points of a substance?

The chemical composition and structure of a substance can affect its boiling and melting points. Other factors that can influence these points include pressure, impurities, and the presence of other substances in a mixture.

Why are boiling and melting points important in chemistry?

Boiling and melting points are important in chemistry because they provide information about the physical properties of a substance. They can also be used to identify and characterize different substances.

What is a phase diagram and how is it related to boiling and melting points?

A phase diagram is a graphical representation of the different states of matter that a substance can exist in under varying temperature and pressure conditions. The boiling and melting points are indicated on a phase diagram and can help to determine the conditions under which a substance will change its state.

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