What is the boiling point of a liquid in terms of its state change?

The boiling point of a liquid is defined as the temperature at which it transitions from the liquid state to the gaseous state. This phenomenon occurs when the vapor pressure of the liquid equals the atmospheric pressure surrounding the liquid. At this particular temperature, the molecules within the liquid gain enough energy to overcome intermolecular forces, allowing them to escape into the air as gas.

This transition is crucial in various scientific and industrial processes, illustrating a fundamental change in the state of matter. The other transitions mentioned, such as gas to solid or gas to liquid, refer to different physical processes such as deposition or condensation, which do not accurately depict the characteristics of boiling. Understanding the boiling point helps in judging material properties, especially when handling hazardous materials where temperature control is critical for safety.