When water is heated above its boiling point without actually boiling, what is this process called?

• A. Sublimation
• B. Evaporation
• C. Superheating
• D. Condensation

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the phenomenon described: water is heated above its boiling point but does not boil immediately.
2. Recall that boiling occurs when vapor bubbles form within the liquid and rise to the surface, releasing vapor.
3. Recognize that if water is heated above its boiling point without bubble formation, it is in a metastable state called superheating.
4. Differentiate superheating from other processes: sublimation is solid to gas, evaporation is surface vaporization below boiling point, and condensation is gas to liquid.
5. Conclude that the process of heating water above its boiling point without boiling is called superheating.