Is There a Relationship Between Density and Boiling Point?

Click For Summary
There is no direct relationship between density and boiling point, as the two properties are influenced by different factors. The boiling point primarily depends on the molecular weight of the substance and the strength of the intermolecular forces, such as covalent bonds. Additionally, external atmospheric pressure significantly affects boiling points; liquids boil at lower temperatures in a vacuum and at higher temperatures under increased pressure. Different liquids will have varying boiling points even at the same pressure due to their unique molecular characteristics. Understanding these factors is crucial for comprehending the behavior of substances during phase changes.
SuperSandwich
Messages
2
Reaction score
0
Just a random question. Is there a specific relationship between density and boiling point? If there is, what is it and why do they relate?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
In general I don't think there is. I believe that molecules that have similar type of chemical bonds (e.g. covalent bonds) in general will have higher boiling points as the density of the pure substance increases.
 
There are two things that play a major role in the boiling point of substances

1: how heavy are the molecules.
2: how strong are the attractive forces between molecules.
 
One additional factor is outside (atmospheric) pressure.

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia


Boiling water
The boiling point of a substance is the temperature at which the vapor pressure of the liquid equals the pressure surrounding the liquid[1][2] and the liquid changes into a vapor.

A liquid in a vacuum has a lower boiling point than when that liquid is at atmospheric pressure. A liquid at high-pressure has a higher boiling point than when that liquid is at atmospheric pressure. In other words, the boiling point of a liquid varies depending upon the surrounding environmental pressure. For a given pressure, different liquids boil at different temperatures.
 

Thread 'Does acceleration affect impact energy vs constant velocity?'

I do not have a good working knowledge of physics yet. I tried to piece this together but after researching this, I couldn’t figure out the correct laws of physics to combine to develop a formula to answer this question. Ex. 1 - A moving object impacts a static object at a constant velocity. Ex. 2 - A moving object impacts a static object at the same velocity but is accelerating at the moment of impact. Assuming the mass of the objects is the same and the velocity at the moment of impact...
View full post »

Similar threads

High School Cheapest equipment to boil water at 60℃
  • · Replies 15 ·
Replies
15
Views
3K
Undergrad Understanding Boiling Point Elevation: Real Gas Law and Its Impact on Molecules
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
How does temperature affect distillation in a fractionating column?
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
2K
Dew point more important than boiling point
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
Looking for a chemical with a boiling point between 10C and 50C
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
Intermolecular forces and boiling point
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
Undergrad What will be the boiling point of fully-filled water in a vacuum container?
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
Mysterious boiling phenomenon during experiment
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
What Is the Boiling Point of POE Oil at 500 Microns Pressure?
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
12K
Graduate Can Raoult's Law Determine Boiling Points of Fuel Oil?
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K