Melting and boiling points
What Melting and boiling points means in Chemistry GCSE, as defined for AQA.
Definitions of Melting and boiling points
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Reference: AQA
These are relatively low for small-molecule substances because the weak forces between molecules are overcome, not the covalent bonds within molecules.
The temperatures at which a substance melts and boils, which are higher when the forces between the particles are stronger.
Pure elements and compounds melt and boil at specific temperatures, which are fixed values at a given pressure.
These are higher if the forces between particles are strong, because more energy is needed to change state.
Melting and freezing occur at the melting point, and boiling and condensing occur at the boiling point.
Topics that use Melting and boiling points
- Properties of small molecules (AQA GCSE)
- Pure substances (AQA GCSE)
- The three states of matter (AQA GCSE)
Related terms
- Purity and impurities
- Boiling
- Bulk properties
- Changes of state
- Comparing melting and boiling points
- Comparison with known values
- Context in scientific language
- Covalent bonding
Using Melting and boiling points in the exam
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