Question

what is true about boiling? (1 point)
the boiling point of acetone is higher than the boiling point of water.
water boils at a higher temperature at higher altitudes.
the boiling point of a liquid depends on atmospheric pressure.
at sea level, water can boil at any temperature.

Explanation:

• Analyze Option 1: Acetone's boiling point (around 56°C) is lower than water's (100°C at sea level), so this is false.
• Analyze Option 2: At higher altitudes, atmospheric pressure is lower, so water boils at a lower temperature (e.g., less than 100°C on mountains), so this is false.
• Analyze Option 3: Boiling point is the temperature at which vapor pressure equals atmospheric pressure. So, if atmospheric pressure changes, the boiling point of a liquid (which depends on its vapor pressure characteristics) will change to match the new atmospheric pressure. For example, at higher pressure, a liquid needs a higher temperature to have vapor pressure equal to that pressure (so boiling point increases), and vice versa. This is a fundamental concept in thermodynamics related to phase changes.
• Analyze Option 4: At sea level, atmospheric pressure is relatively constant (1 atm), so water boils at a specific temperature (100°C) when its vapor pressure equals 1 atm. It can't boil at "any temperature" as boiling requires vapor pressure to equal external (atmospheric) pressure, which at sea level corresponds to 100°C for water. So this is false.

Answer:

The boiling point of a liquid depends on atmospheric pressure