What is the definition of boiling point?

The boiling point is defined as the temperature at which a liquid becomes a gas at a specific pressure. This means that when a liquid reaches its boiling point, it has enough energy to overcome intermolecular forces and transition into the gaseous state. The boiling point can vary depending on the surrounding atmospheric pressure; for example, at sea level, water boils at 100 degrees Celsius, but at higher altitudes where the pressure is lower, water will boil at a lower temperature.

Understanding this definition is crucial in various scientific fields, including chemistry and physics, as it helps in predicting the behavior of substances under different temperature and pressure conditions.