MadSci Network: Chemistry |
Remember that the boiling point of water is increased when something is dissolved in it; that's how antifreeze, which is ethylene glycol dissolved in water, works. The boiling point of water is increased by 0.51 degrees Celsius for every mole of substance that is dissolved in 1 kilogram of water. Materials that ionize in water act as though each ion is a different substance: sodium chloride, which breaks into two ions, will increase the boiling point 1.02 degrees (2 x 0.51) and calcium chloride (an ice-melt) will increase the boiling point 1.53 degrees (3 x 0.51) for each mole dissolved in 1 kg. You need to go up about 7 degrees Celsius, though, and you won't get that much salt into water. However, SUGAR is almost infinitely soluble in water. All you need to do is dissolve the right number of moles of sugar in the water to raise the boiling point as far as necessary. Just don't leave it in there too long!