How does boiling water help in its purification?

Boiling water helps in its purification by killing or inactivating harmful microorganisms that cause diseases.

Boiling is a simple but effective method of purifying water, especially in situations where no other means of purification are available. When water is brought to its boiling point, which is 100 degrees Celsius at sea level, the heat kills or inactivates many types of harmful microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, and parasites. These microorganisms can cause diseases such as cholera, typhoid, and dysentery, so removing them makes the water safe to drink.

The process of boiling water for purification is straightforward. The water is heated until it reaches a rolling boil, and then it is kept at that temperature for at least one minute. This ensures that the heat penetrates throughout the water and kills all the microorganisms. In areas of high altitude, where the boiling point of water is lower due to the reduced atmospheric pressure, the water should be boiled for longer to ensure complete purification.

However, it's important to note that while boiling is effective at killing microorganisms, it does not remove chemical pollutants or heavy metals from water. These substances have boiling points that are much higher than water, so they remain in the water even after it has been boiled. Therefore, if the water is contaminated with chemicals or heavy metals, additional methods of purification, such as filtration or distillation, may be needed.

In summary, boiling water is a simple and effective method of killing harmful microorganisms, making it safer to drink. However, it does not remove chemical pollutants or heavy metals, so other methods of purification may be needed if these are present.