What is the boiling point of water at standard atmospheric pressure?

The boiling point of water at standard atmospheric pressure, which is defined as 1 atmosphere or 101.3 kPa, is 100°C. At this temperature, water molecules have enough energy to break free from the liquid state and enter the gas phase as water vapor. This phenomenon occurs at sea level, where the atmospheric pressure is typically around this value, making 100°C the point at which water boils under those conditions.

The relation to the boiling point indicates that variations in altitude and atmospheric pressure can affect this temperature; for instance, at higher altitudes where atmospheric pressure is lower, water boils at temperatures less than 100°C. Understanding this fundamental property of water is crucial for many applications in science and nursing practice, such as properly sterilizing equipment through boiling.