As water is heated prior to boiling, its temperature increases steadily. Here's a breakdown of what happens:

* Heat energy is transferred to the water molecules: When you apply heat to water, the energy is absorbed by the water molecules.

* Increased molecular motion: This absorbed energy causes the water molecules to move faster and vibrate more vigorously.

* Temperature rise: The increased molecular motion is what we perceive as an increase in temperature.

Important Points:

* The temperature increase is linear until the boiling point is reached. This means the temperature rises at a constant rate.

* The specific heat capacity of water determines how much heat energy is needed to raise its temperature by a certain amount. Water has a high specific heat capacity, meaning it takes a lot of energy to raise its temperature.

* Once the boiling point is reached (100°C or 212°F at standard atmospheric pressure), the temperature stops increasing. The added heat energy is then used to change the water's state from liquid to gas (steam).

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