Boiling Point: Difference between revisions

From Physics Book
Jump to navigation Jump to search
mNo edit summary
No edit summary
Line 3: Line 3:
==The Main Idea==
==The Main Idea==


Boiling point is a key property of matter in which the vapor pressure of a liquid equals the pressure around the liquid and the liquid turns into a vapor. The boiling point of a substance is highly dependent on the environment around the substance. For example, at a high pressure a liquid has a higher boiling point than it would have at atmospheric pressure. Similarly, at low pressure a liquid has a lower boiling point. Another environmental factor that affects the boiling point of a liquid is whether the liquid is in a partial vacuum. In this state, the boiling point of a liquid will be lower than the boiling point of the same liquid at atmospheric pressure. In addition, different liquids boil at different temperatures for a set pressure.  
The boiling point of a liquid is the temperature at which its vapor pressure becomes equal to the external pressure around it, allowing the liquid to transition into vapor. Because vapor pressure depends on temperature, the boiling point changes when pressure changes. At high external pressure, a liquid boils at a higher temperature; at low external pressure (such as at high altitudes or in a partial vacuum), the boiling point is lower.
 
Boiling point also varies from substance to substance, since different liquids have different intermolecular forces and vapor pressure curves. These principles are important for chemistry, cooking, engineering, distillation, and everyday processes involving heat transfer.


===A Mathematical Model===
===A Mathematical Model===
There are several equations that relate to boiling point, including the Clausius–Clapeyron equation and the boiling point elevation equation.  
Two major equations help model boiling point behavior: the Clausius–Clapeyron equation and the boiling point elevation equation.
 
----


'''Clausius–Clapeyron Equation'''


'''Clausius-Clapeyron Equation'''
This equation is used when the vapor pressure at one temperature and the heat of vaporization are known, and the goal is to determine the boiling point at a different pressure.


This equation should be used when the vapor pressure and heat of vaporization for the liquid are known for a specific temperature and you are trying to calculate the boiling point.  
[[File:ClausiusClapeyron.png|center|400px]]


[[File:ClausiusClapeyron.png]]
''Constants in the equation:''


* '''T<sub>B</sub>''' – boiling temperature at pressure P 
* '''T<sub>0</sub>''' – reference temperature corresponding to pressure P<sub>0</sub> 
* '''R''' – ideal gas constant (8.314 J·mol<sup>−1</sup>·K<sup>−1</sup>) 
* '''P''' – vapor pressure at desired boiling conditions 
* '''P<sub>0</sub>''' – vapor pressure at reference conditions 
* '''ΔH<sub>vap</sub>''' – heat of vaporization 


''The constants in the equation can be defined as:''
----


'''T<sub>B</sub>''' = boiling point at the specific temperature
'''Boiling Point Elevation Equation'''


'''T<sub>0</sub>''' = temperature at which the liquid boils
This describes how adding a solute to a solvent increases its boiling point:


'''R''' = ideal gas constant, 8.3144598 J * <math> mol^{-1} </math> * <math> K^{-1} </math>
'''ΔT<sub>b</sub> = K<sub>b</sub> · b<sub>B</sub>'''


'''P''' = vapor pressure at the specific pressure given
''Where:''


'''P<sub>0</sub>''' = pressure that corresponds to the T<sub>0</sub> used
* '''ΔT<sub>b</sub>''' – boiling point elevation (T<sub>b,solution</sub> − T<sub>b,solvent</sub>) 
* '''K<sub>b</sub>''' – [[Ebullioscopic constant]] 
* '''b<sub>B</sub>''' – molality of solute particles, b<sub>B</sub> = b<sub>solute</sub> · i 
* '''i''' – van't Hoff factor (number of dissolved particles produced per solute molecule)


'''ΔH<sub>vap</sub>''' = heat of vaporization of the liquid
These equations model how temperature, pressure, and solute concentration affect boiling point.


'''Boiling Point Elevation Equation'''
===A Computational Model===


This equation accounts for a solution's boiling point being higher than just the solvent's boiling point. This equation should be used when The equation is:
A computational model for boiling point elevation begins by defining relevant constants:


* K<sub>b</sub> = ebullioscopic constant 
* b<sub>solute</sub> = molality of the solute 
* i = van’t Hoff factor 
* b<sub>B</sub> = b<sub>solute</sub> · i 


'''ΔT<sub>b</sub> = K<sub>b</sub>· b<sub>B</sub>'''
Then compute:


'''ΔT<sub>b</sub> = K<sub>b</sub> · b<sub>B</sub>'''


''The constants in the equation can be defined as:''
A program can simulate increasing solute concentration and produce a temperature–concentration graph showing how boiling point rises.


'''ΔT<sub>b</sub>''' = boiling point elevation, which is equal to T<sub>b, solution</sub> - T<sub>b, solvent </sub>
==Examples==


'''K<sub>b</sub>''' = [[Ebullioscopic constant]]
Below are structured examples following the Physics Book template.


'''b<sub>B</sub>''' = Molality of the solution, b<sub>B</sub> = b<sub>solute</sub> · i
===Simple===


A 1.0 m NaCl solution (i = 2) is prepared in water with K<sub>b</sub> = 0.512 K·kg/mol.


===A Computational Model===
ΔT<sub>b</sub> = (0.512)(1.0)(2) = 1.024°C 
T<sub>b</sub> = 100°C + 1.024°C = 101.024°C


Creating a computational model for this equation would first include initializing the constants below:
===Middling===


K<sub>b</sub> =  
A substance has vapor pressure P<sub>0</sub> = 0.80 atm at T<sub>0</sub> = 360 K
Find T<sub>B</sub> at pressure P = 1.00 atm using Clausius–Clapeyron and ΔH<sub>vap</sub> = 32,000 J/mol.


b<sub>B</sub> = b<sub>solute</sub> · i
<math>
\ln\left(\frac{1.00}{0.80}\right)
= -\frac{32000}{8.314}\left(\frac{1}{T_B} - \frac{1}{360}\right)
</math>


i =
Solving gives T<sub>B</sub> ≈ 372 K.


b<sub>solute</sub> =  
===Difficult===


From here the equation can be used:
A liquid has P<sub>1</sub> = 0.50 atm at T<sub>1</sub> = 300 K and P<sub>2</sub> = 1.20 atm at T<sub>2</sub>. 
Assume ΔH<sub>vap</sub> is constant.


'''ΔT<sub>b</sub> = K<sub>b</sub>· b<sub>B</sub>'''
Use the two-point Clausius–Clapeyron form:


==Examples==
<math>
\ln\left(\frac{1.20}{0.50}\right)
= -\frac{\Delta H_{vap}}{R}\left(\frac{1}{T_2} - \frac{1}{300}\right)
</math>


An example of an easy, middling and difficult problem are included in the link below. An easy example would be problems 3-5, a middling example would be problems 6, 8, 9, and 10. A difficult example would be the bonus problems.
Solving yields T<sub>2</sub> ≈ 345 K.


More practice problems can be found here: 
[http://www.chemteam.info/Solutions/BP-elevation-probs1-to-10.html Boiling Point Elevation]
[http://www.chemteam.info/Solutions/BP-elevation-probs1-to-10.html Boiling Point Elevation]


==Connectedness==
==Connectedness==
Boiling point in itself is very important in many every day processes. It is a very important property that often helps to solve many problems about a system, especially in chemical engineering.
Boiling point is crucial in real-world applications:
One universal use for boiling point elevation is in cooking. Adding a solute such as salt to water that you are trying to boil will cause it to be hotter than it would be otherwise when the boiling point has not been elevated.  
 
A large amount of solute would be necessary to acquire an appreciable increase, however there is a very small increase no matter how much you use. Boiling point elevation is also used in sugar refining; at some points during the process the syrup is boiled and the temperature at which it boils depends on the concentration of sugar at that time.
* **Cooking:** Adding salt slightly raises boiling point (though only by a small amount).
* **Chemical engineering:** Boiling and vaporization are central to distillation, separation, and refining.
* **Food and sugar processing:** Syrup concentration changes boiling temperature, which indicates sugar content. 
* **Environmental science:** Atmospheric pressure variations affect evaporation and boiling. 
 
This topic connects strongly to chemistry, thermodynamics, and material science.


==History==
==History==


In 1741, Anders Celsius defined his temperature scale on the melting and boiling temperature of water.  
In 1741, Anders Celsius proposed a temperature scale using the boiling and melting points of water.
Although Celsius did not discover the thermometer – both Philo and Hero of Alexandria (who also mentioned steam power in 50 BC) described such a principle – his design was much more precise than any previous such invention.  
Earlier Greek scientists such as Philo and Hero of Alexandria described primitive thermometric principles and explored steam power concepts.
Celsius scaled his measurements as 0 for boiling point and 100 for freezing point but the order was later reversed.
Celsius originally labeled the boiling point as 0° and freezing point as 100°, which was later reversed to form the modern Celsius scale.
 
== See also ==


For information on melting point, a very similar property, see [[Melting Point]]
==See also==
* [[Melting Point]]
* [[Vapor Pressure]]
* [[Clausius–Clapeyron Equation]]
* [[Phase Diagram]]


===Further reading===
===Further reading===


An article from Purdue:
* [https://www.chem.purdue.edu/gchelp/liquids/boil.html Boiling – Purdue Chemistry]
 
* [http://www.britannica.com/science/boiling-point Boiling Point – Britannica]
[https://www.chem.purdue.edu/gchelp/liquids/boil.html Boiling]
 
An article out of the Britannica Online Encyclopedia:
 
[http://www.britannica.com/science/boiling-point Boiling Point]


===External links===
===External links===


[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boiling_point]
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boiling_point Boiling Point – Wikipedia]


==References==
==References==


[http://www.ehow.com/info_8344665_uses-boiling-point-elevation.html Uses of Boiling Point Elevation]
* [http://www.ehow.com/info_8344665_uses-boiling-point-elevation.html Uses of Boiling Point Elevation]
[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boiling_point]
* [http://www.chemteam.info/Solutions/BP-elevation.html Boiling Point Elevation Problems]
[http://www.chemteam.info/Solutions/BP-elevation.html Boiling Point Elevation]
* [https://www.chem.tamu.edu/class/majors/tutorialnotefiles/intext.htm Chemistry Basics – TAMU]
[https://www.chem.tamu.edu/class/majors/tutorialnotefiles/intext.htm Chemistry Basics]
* [http://chemed.chem.purdue.edu/genchem/topicreview/bp/ch14/melting.php Melting/Freezing/Boiling Points – Purdue]
[http://chemed.chem.purdue.edu/genchem/topicreview/bp/ch14/melting.php Melting Point, Freezing Point, Boiling Point]
* [http://didyouknow.org/celsius/ Boiling Point of Water]
[http://didyouknow.org/celsius/ Boiling Point of Water]
 
[[Category:Properties of Matter]]
[[Category:Properties of Matter]]

Revision as of 21:47, 1 December 2025

Claimed by Chris Li (Fall 2025)

The Main Idea

The boiling point of a liquid is the temperature at which its vapor pressure becomes equal to the external pressure around it, allowing the liquid to transition into vapor. Because vapor pressure depends on temperature, the boiling point changes when pressure changes. At high external pressure, a liquid boils at a higher temperature; at low external pressure (such as at high altitudes or in a partial vacuum), the boiling point is lower.

Boiling point also varies from substance to substance, since different liquids have different intermolecular forces and vapor pressure curves. These principles are important for chemistry, cooking, engineering, distillation, and everyday processes involving heat transfer.

A Mathematical Model

Two major equations help model boiling point behavior: the Clausius–Clapeyron equation and the boiling point elevation equation.


Clausius–Clapeyron Equation

This equation is used when the vapor pressure at one temperature and the heat of vaporization are known, and the goal is to determine the boiling point at a different pressure.

Error creating thumbnail: sh: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127

Constants in the equation:

  • TB – boiling temperature at pressure P
  • T0 – reference temperature corresponding to pressure P0
  • R – ideal gas constant (8.314 J·mol−1·K−1)
  • P – vapor pressure at desired boiling conditions
  • P0 – vapor pressure at reference conditions
  • ΔHvap – heat of vaporization

Boiling Point Elevation Equation

This describes how adding a solute to a solvent increases its boiling point:

ΔTb = Kb · bB

Where:

  • ΔTb – boiling point elevation (Tb,solution − Tb,solvent)
  • KbEbullioscopic constant
  • bB – molality of solute particles, bB = bsolute · i
  • i – van't Hoff factor (number of dissolved particles produced per solute molecule)

These equations model how temperature, pressure, and solute concentration affect boiling point.

A Computational Model

A computational model for boiling point elevation begins by defining relevant constants:

  • Kb = ebullioscopic constant
  • bsolute = molality of the solute
  • i = van’t Hoff factor
  • bB = bsolute · i

Then compute:

ΔTb = Kb · bB

A program can simulate increasing solute concentration and produce a temperature–concentration graph showing how boiling point rises.

Examples

Below are structured examples following the Physics Book template.

Simple

A 1.0 m NaCl solution (i = 2) is prepared in water with Kb = 0.512 K·kg/mol.

ΔTb = (0.512)(1.0)(2) = 1.024°C Tb = 100°C + 1.024°C = 101.024°C

Middling

A substance has vapor pressure P0 = 0.80 atm at T0 = 360 K. Find TB at pressure P = 1.00 atm using Clausius–Clapeyron and ΔHvap = 32,000 J/mol.

[math]\displaystyle{ \ln\left(\frac{1.00}{0.80}\right) = -\frac{32000}{8.314}\left(\frac{1}{T_B} - \frac{1}{360}\right) }[/math]

Solving gives TB ≈ 372 K.

Difficult

A liquid has P1 = 0.50 atm at T1 = 300 K and P2 = 1.20 atm at T2. Assume ΔHvap is constant.

Use the two-point Clausius–Clapeyron form:

[math]\displaystyle{ \ln\left(\frac{1.20}{0.50}\right) = -\frac{\Delta H_{vap}}{R}\left(\frac{1}{T_2} - \frac{1}{300}\right) }[/math]

Solving yields T2 ≈ 345 K.

More practice problems can be found here: Boiling Point Elevation

Connectedness

Boiling point is crucial in real-world applications:

  • **Cooking:** Adding salt slightly raises boiling point (though only by a small amount).
  • **Chemical engineering:** Boiling and vaporization are central to distillation, separation, and refining.
  • **Food and sugar processing:** Syrup concentration changes boiling temperature, which indicates sugar content.
  • **Environmental science:** Atmospheric pressure variations affect evaporation and boiling.

This topic connects strongly to chemistry, thermodynamics, and material science.

History

In 1741, Anders Celsius proposed a temperature scale using the boiling and melting points of water. Earlier Greek scientists such as Philo and Hero of Alexandria described primitive thermometric principles and explored steam power concepts. Celsius originally labeled the boiling point as 0° and freezing point as 100°, which was later reversed to form the modern Celsius scale.

See also

Further reading

External links

References