Boiling chip

[reising1]

I know the definition based answer for why a boiling chip is used, but I don't understand it really. The point is to prevent superheating of the liquid. Air bubbles break the surface tension and prevent superheating/bumping.

What does this mean, really?

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[JoeBargo]

Superheating is where bubbles are trapped within the liquid by surface tension (which also increases ambient pressure). Having a boiling stone prevents surface tension from doing this. The main reason for this is to see the boiling point more accurately. Without a boiling stone, your results would give you a slightly higher boiling point. Not sure if that's what you were looking for but hope it helped.