Boiling-Point Elevation

Definition

Boiling-point elevation is the phenomenon where the boiling point of a liquid (a solvent) is increased when another compound (a solute) is added, meaning that a solution has a higher boiling point than a pure solvent.

Analogy

Imagine you're trying to get out of a crowded room. If you're alone in the room, it's easy to leave quickly - this represents the lower boiling point of a pure solvent. But if more people (the solute) enter the room, it becomes harder and takes longer for you to exit - this represents how adding solute increases the boiling point.

Related terms

Colligative Properties: These are properties of solutions that depend on the ratio of the number of solute particles to the number of solvent molecules in a solution, and not on the nature of the chemical species present.

Solvent: A substance that dissolves another to form a solution. Water is a common solvent.

Solute: The minor component in a solution that is dissolved by the solvent.