State the difference between melting and boiling point.

The melting point and boiling point are both physical properties of substances related to changes in their states of matter. The main difference between them lies in the specific phase transition they represent and the conditions under which they occur:

Melting Point:
Definition: The melting point is the temperature at which a solid substance changes its state from a solid to a liquid.
Process: When a solid is heated to its melting point, the thermal energy provided breaks the forces of attraction between the particles (atoms, molecules, or ions) in the solid, allowing them to move more freely, leading to a liquid state.
At the melting point, both the solid and liquid phases of the substance coexist in equilibrium.
Boiling Point:
Definition: The boiling point is the temperature at which a liquid substance changes its state from a liquid to a gas (vapor).
Process: When a liquid is heated to its boiling point, the thermal energy increases the kinetic energy of the particles, causing them to overcome the intermolecular forces (attractions between molecules) and escape the liquid phase, forming a gas or vapor.
At the boiling point, both the liquid and gaseous phases of the substance coexist in equilibrium.
Key Differences:

The melting point involves the transition from a solid to a liquid state, while the boiling point involves the transition from a liquid to a gaseous state.
The melting point and boiling point represent specific temperatures at which these phase transitions occur for a given substance.
The melting point occurs at a constant temperature for a specific pressure, whereas the boiling point can vary with pressure. For example, the boiling point of water at sea level (normal atmospheric pressure) is 100 degrees Celsius (212 degrees Fahrenheit), but it will change at different altitudes or under different pressures.
In summary, the melting point is the temperature at which a solid turns into a liquid, while the boiling point is the temperature at which a liquid turns into a gas. Both properties are important in understanding the behavior of substances and their phase changes under different conditions.