kettle not boiling ??

[securespark]

Sorry. As soon as I read that I burst out laughing...

 

[ban-all-sheds]

at STP water cannot exist above boiling point, it turns to steam.

yes it can..

Really?

What value is the 'T' in 'STP'?

Not tried that (would not want to at home)

Take care not to try it without trying, if you see what I mean. It's actually quite easy to get the situation set up in a microwave oven.

And it doesn't need to be pure water, or even water at all - it can happen with all sorts of liquids.

but how do you know it is over 100 C?

Because it is.

The implication is that inserting a thermometer would cause it to boil.

Indeed it would - it would be an excellent way to cause nucleation.

Do you believe everything you see on TV?

Are people allowed to believe what they read, and what they have seen with their own eyes?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Superheating


BTW steam is a fluid as is water, steam is invisible, water vaopur can be seen[/quote]
No - water vapour is a colourless gas.

Steam can be water vapour, or tiny droplets of water formed when the vapour condenses, at which point it can be seen.

Superheated liquids are VERY DANGEROUS

Especially if they are also flammable.