why does water boil faster in a bigger pot than a smaller pot?

Answer 1

It will boil faster in the larger pot IF
1) the larger pot has a larger base
2) the same amount of water is in both the smaller and larger pot.

The water will boil faster because more water is in contact with the base of the pot, which has more contact with the heating element.

Answer 2

I wonder if the size of the pot doesn't matter. If the same amount of thermal energy is applied into the system, then the change in temperature of the water should be the same. The only thing I can think that would cause a larger pot to permit water to boil faster would be if the larger pot prevented more energy from leaving the system. That is, the smaller pot allows thermal energy (heat) to "escape" because a flame would warm the air around it instead of just the pot.

The problem I see with "larger surface area so faster heating" is that one must then assume that the surface area will heat to the same exact temperature in the same amount of time despite its size. If there is larger surface area then it is true that it will heat faster, but it is also true that it will require more energy to heat a larger surface area.

-Christopher

Answer 3

I think water boils faster in a smaller pot. I'm going to go try it.

Answer 4

since water boils at different temperatures at different altitudes (slight reduction in boiling point at higher elevations) ... it may be a function of the surface area relative to the depth of the water being brought to a boil.

Answer 5

a larger pot has greater surface area in contact with the burner

Answer 6

because a larger surface area is heated in the larger pot.

Answer 7

I didn't think it mattered how big the pot was.

Answer 8

the larger pot is faster

Answer 9

surface area? more area for heat transfer?