Question

(a) Two pans of water are on different burners of a stove. One pan of water is boiling vigorously, while the other is boiling gently. What can be said about the temperature of the water in the two pans? (b) A large container of water and a small one are at the same temperature. What can be said about the relative vapor pressures of the water in the two containers?

Short answer

(a) The temperature of the water in both pans is at its boiling point, which is 100°C or 212°F at standard atmospheric pressure, regardless of whether the water is boiling gently or vigorously. (b) The vapor pressures of water in the large container and the small container are the same as they are at the same temperature, being a property dependent only on temperature and not on the amount of substance or size of the container.

Step-by-step solution

Situation (a) - Comparing the Temperature of Water in Two Pans

When water is boiling, it has reached its boiling point which is 100°C or 212°F at standard atmospheric pressure. Regardless of whether the water is boiling gently or vigorously, the temperature remains the same as long as it continues boiling.

Statement for Situation (a)

The temperature of the water in both pans is at its boiling point, which is 100°C or 212°F at standard atmospheric pressure.

Situation (b) - Comparing Vapor Pressure of Water in Two Containers

At the same temperature, the vapor pressure of a substance, in this case, water, is a property that is dependent only on the temperature and not on the amount of substance or the size of the container.

Statement for Situation (b)

The vapor pressures of water in the large container and the small container are the same as they are at the same temperature.