Question

Will saline boil faster than fresh water?

Choose the answer that best represents a testable hypothesis for the question above.
a. I predict that a cup of fresh water will boil faster than a cup of saline.
b. If I add salt to a cup of water, the water will boil faster than without it.
c. Saline water has a lower boiling point than water without a salt solution.
d. I predict that a cup of saline will boil in less time than a cup of fresh water.

Answer 1

The addition of salt to water increases its boiling point, making the water boil faster. This hypothesis can be tested. So the correct answer is Option B.

Step-by-step explanation:

The best answer choice that represents a testable hypothesis for the question is b. If I add salt to a cup of water, the water will boil faster than without it.

This is because the addition of salt to water increases its boiling point, as explained by the concept of boiling point elevation. When any solute is dissolved in water, the boiling point of the resulting solution will be higher than that of pure water. The ions from the salt form attractions with the water molecules, preventing them from vaporizing and boiling at 100°C.

For example, when cooking dried pasta and adding salt to the water, the higher boiling point of the saltwater solution can potentially cook the pasta faster, but the difference in boiling temperature may be negligible for a 1°C increase.

Therefore, hypothesis b is testable and aligned with the concept of boiling point elevation.