Boiling Point Page

The of a liquid is the temperature at which its vapor pressure equals the external atmospheric pressure surrounding it. At this stage, the liquid undergoes a phase transition to a gas, and bubbles of vapor form within the bulk of the liquid rather than just at the surface. 1. The Physical Mechanism of Boiling

: During boiling, the temperature of a pure liquid remains constant even if more heat is added. This extra energy is used to break intermolecular bonds (latent heat of vaporization) rather than increasing the liquid's temperature. 2. Influencing Factors Boiling Point

: As a liquid is heated, its vapor pressure increases. When this internal pressure matches the surrounding air pressure, bubbles of vapor can survive and rise to the surface without being crushed. The of a liquid is the temperature at