I have a question for you guys out there. This question was raised by
my Head of Department (Science) who in turn was asked by a student
who took part in the Australian Science Competition a year ago.
We know water boils at 100 degress C.
Suppose I have a glass bottle half-filled with water. I place this bottle
(with no
capping) into a pot of water that covers two-thirds of the bottle. Now I
boil this
pot of water (also not covered). Will the bottle of water boil?
I thought it would. I did not try it out yet. But my HOD was actually
trying out
the experiment in his home when his grandmother came in to the kitchen, saw
what he was doing, gave him a thorough scolding, and told him that the
bottle of
water will never boil in this way.
My question is: Is she correct? If she is, what's the theory behind it?