Can purified water be super-heated to the point of explosion?

Answer 1

Distilled water can, If you take purified water and boil it. Let it cool then, heat it again, the impurities will be removed, so the water will not boil again, it will just super heat. Throw a cold spoon or other object in and you will get a heck of a reaction, but not an explosion.

Answer 2

Purified and super-heated water will evaporate at 100 degrees centigrade since it contains no impurities which can increase or decrease its boil point.

On its own, in an open containment vessel while super-heating it will simply evaporate and condense on the nearest surface.

But in an enclosed containment vessel, the heat causes the water to evaporate turning to steam (gas) which builds up the pressure within the container. At the point where the pressure within the container supersedes that of the external environment, an explosion occurs. Freeing the trapped pressurised air within the container.

Answer 3

I've heard that water heated in a microwave can sometimes do this, if the container is super clean. What happens, apparently, is that if there are no surface imperfections or contaminents in the container that bubbles can form around, the water can be heated past the boiling point without boiling, and then if disturbed immediately "explode" into steam.
It's probably pretty hard to duplicate, but it can happen.

Answer 4

Yes, purified water can be super heated. People take advantage of this in hydrothermal synthesis of coordination compounds.

Answer 5

It will first get converted to steam on heating and then superheated steam. The pressure will keep rising. When the pressure overcomes the strength of the vessel it will explode.

Answer 6

The best way to do this is to put it in the microwave about 3 mins. Then when it comes out pour sugar in it. BE CAREFUL. It will explode and may hit your face.

Answer 7

No, purified water does not have such a property because it would all evaporate too quickly.

Answer 8

yes, sort of, water converts to steam at 212 F, or 100 C. after that point it tends to not get any hotter it just builds up pressure.

Answer 9

if u put mineral water or salt water in the microwave and cook it, and then stand back and chuck anything in there, try tin foil and the water will explode, but please be careful the water wont look boiling it will be really still

Answer 10

Try it and see.