Boiling - GCSE Physics Definition

Boiling is a process where a liquid turns into a vapour when it is heated to its boiling point, the temperature at which this phase change occurs. At this specific temperature, the liquid's vapour pressure equals the atmospheric pressure surrounding it, allowing bubbles of vapour to form within the liquid and rise to the surface.

In GCSE Physics, understanding boiling is important as it is a fundamental concept related to the changes of state and energy transfer. At sea level, water boils at 100°C, but this temperature can change with variations in atmospheric pressure, such as at higher altitudes.

Boiling is a key concept in calorimetry and thermal energy studies, highlighting the relationship between heat energy, temperature, and state changes.