Chapter 23, Problem 47A

Elizabeth says that the boiling temperature of water decreases when the water is under reduced pressure. Austin says the opposite is true—that reduced pressure increases the boiling point. Whom do you agree with and why?

To determine

To identify: Whether person A or person E is correct.

Answer to Problem 47A

Person E is correct because on reducing pressure boiling temperature decreases.

Explanation of Solution

Introduction:

Boiling point is that temperature above which a substance changes its state from liquid to gas at that particular pressure. Boiling point of water at atmospheric pressure is $100°\text{C}$ .

As the pressure decreases, the molecules of the substance becomes far from each other. Thus, it requires less energy to expand to the gaseous state. So the temperature required to change the state decreases and hence the boiling point of water decreases with the decrease in pressure on it.

Conclusion:

Therefore, person E is correct.