Oregon Written Tattoo Practice Test

At what temperature does water boil at sea level?

1. 90°F

2. 100°F

3. 212°F

4. 250°F

The correct answer is: 100°F

Water boils at 212°F at sea level, which is considered the standard boiling point for water due to atmospheric pressure. At this temperature, the vapor pressure of water equals the atmospheric pressure, leading to the formation of bubbles within the liquid that rise to the surface and escape as steam. The other temperature options do not represent the boiling point of water. For instance, 90°F and 100°F are well below the boiling point, where water would not be able to form vapor bubbles. The option of 250°F is above the typical boiling point at sea level, reflecting conditions that might be achieved at higher pressures, such as in a pressure cooker, where the boiling point increases due to the elevated pressure. Thus, the correct understanding of water's boiling point at sea level is 212°F.