• Question: what affects the boiling/melting point of solids liquids and gases?

    Asked by ruthenium to Damien, Suzi, Tim on 23 Jun 2011.
    • Photo: Suzi Gage

      Suzi Gage answered on 23 Jun 2011:

      Hi @ruthenium
      Now I have to dredge up my GCSE chemistry.
      I ‘think’ it’s to do with the amount of energy needed to break the bonds holding the molecular structure of the solid together, to turn it to liquid, and then the energy needed to break the weaker bonds holding the liquid together, to turn it in to gas.

      Different substances will melt or boil at different temperatures depending on the strength of these bonds, and the amount of energy (as heat) needed to break them.

      Hope this answers your question!

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