Final answer:
The boiling point is an intrinsic property of a substance, as it is characteristic of the substance itself and does not change with differing amounts or identities of other substances. Data show that substances with similar molar masses can have different boiling points due to the types of intermolecular forces, which are unique to each substance.
Step-by-step explanation:
The boiling point is an intrinsic property of matter, which means it is a characteristic that is inherent to the substance and does not change with the amount of the substance present. This claim is supported by data that show substances with similar molar masses can have quite different boiling points. These differences arise due to the type of intermolecular forces present in the substance.
For example, water has a boiling point of 100°C at 1 atm pressure. This boiling point can change with the pressure, but for a given pressure, it is a specific property of water. In the presence of a solute, we observe boiling point elevation, a phenomenon where the boiling point rises as the number of solute particles increases. Yet, the elevation is not dependent on the solute's identity but on the quantity of particles.
Phase diagrams provide a clear picture of how the boiling points vary with pressure for different substances. Regardless of external conditions like pressure, the substance's identity governs its melting and boiling points.
In summary, the boiling point is consistent for a substance under set conditions, revealing it as an intrinsic property defined by molecular characteristics and not by the amount of material or the presence of other substances.