Boiling Point Formula:
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Definition: This calculator estimates the boiling point temperature of water based on atmospheric pressure.
Purpose: It helps scientists, engineers, and cooks determine the boiling temperature of water at different pressures, which is crucial for high-altitude cooking, industrial processes, and scientific experiments.
The calculator uses the formula:
Where:
Explanation: This empirical formula relates the boiling point of water to atmospheric pressure, accounting for the non-linear relationship between these variables.
Details: Knowing the exact boiling point at different pressures is essential for:
Tips: Enter the pressure in mmHg (millimeters of mercury). Standard atmospheric pressure is 760 mmHg. The pressure must be greater than 0.
Q1: Why does boiling point change with pressure?
A: The boiling point is the temperature where water's vapor pressure equals atmospheric pressure. Lower pressure means water molecules escape more easily, requiring less heat (lower boiling point).
Q2: What's the boiling point at standard pressure?
A: At 760 mmHg (1 atm), water boils at 100°C (212°F).
Q3: How does altitude affect boiling point?
A: Higher altitudes have lower atmospheric pressure. For every 150m (500ft) increase in elevation, boiling point drops by about 0.5°C (1°F).
Q4: What's the minimum pressure where this formula is valid?
A: The formula works down to about 4.58 mmHg (the triple point pressure), where water boils at 0.01°C.
Q5: Can I use other pressure units?
A: This calculator uses mmHg. For other units (atm, kPa, psi), convert to mmHg first (1 atm = 760 mmHg = 101.325 kPa ≈ 14.696 psi).