Boiling

Definition

Boiling is the process of a liquid transitioning to a gaseous state due to the application of heat. It is a key phase change that occurs when the vapor pressure of a liquid equals the pressure surrounding the liquid, allowing bubbles of vapor to form throughout the liquid.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The boiling point of a liquid is the temperature at which the vapor pressure of the liquid equals the pressure surrounding the liquid, and bubbles of vapor form inside the liquid.
2. Boiling occurs when the vapor pressure of a liquid matches the pressure of the gas above it, allowing the formation of vapor bubbles within the liquid.
3. The boiling point of a liquid is affected by factors such as atmospheric pressure, solutes dissolved in the liquid, and the strength of intermolecular forces between the liquid's molecules.
4. During the boiling process, the temperature of the liquid remains constant as the latent heat of vaporization is absorbed, causing the liquid to transition to a gas.
5. Boiling is an important process in many applications, including cooking, industrial processes, and the generation of steam for power production.

Review Questions

• Explain the relationship between vapor pressure and the boiling point of a liquid.
  • The boiling point of a liquid is the temperature at which the vapor pressure of the liquid equals the pressure surrounding the liquid. As heat is applied, the vapor pressure of the liquid increases until it matches the external pressure, allowing the formation of vapor bubbles within the liquid. This point of equilibrium between the liquid's vapor pressure and the external pressure is the boiling point.
• Describe how factors such as atmospheric pressure and solutes can affect the boiling point of a liquid.
  • The boiling point of a liquid is influenced by various factors. Decreasing the atmospheric pressure, such as at higher altitudes, lowers the pressure surrounding the liquid, allowing it to boil at a lower temperature. Conversely, increasing the atmospheric pressure raises the boiling point. Additionally, the presence of solutes dissolved in the liquid can also affect the boiling point. Solutes typically increase the boiling point of a liquid by interfering with the formation of vapor bubbles and increasing the vapor pressure required for boiling to occur.
• Analyze the role of latent heat of vaporization in the boiling process and its implications.
  • During the boiling process, the temperature of the liquid remains constant as the latent heat of vaporization is absorbed. This latent heat is the energy required to transform the liquid into a gas, without increasing the temperature of the substance. The absorption of this latent heat is what allows the liquid to transition to a gaseous state at the boiling point. This phenomenon has important implications in various applications, such as the efficient generation of steam for power production and the cooling effect experienced during the evaporation of liquids.

Related terms

Vaporization: The process of a substance transitioning from a liquid or solid state to a gaseous state.

Vapor Pressure: The pressure exerted by a vapor in equilibrium with its liquid or solid phase at a given temperature.

Latent Heat of Vaporization: The amount of energy required to transform a substance from a liquid to a gas at a constant temperature and pressure.