Here's why:
* Intermolecular forces: KI is an ionic compound, meaning it has strong electrostatic attractions between its positively charged potassium ions (K+) and negatively charged iodide ions (I-). These strong ionic bonds require a lot of energy to break, leading to a high boiling point.
* Water's hydrogen bonding: Water, while having a relatively high boiling point due to hydrogen bonding between its molecules, still has weaker intermolecular forces compared to the ionic bonds in KI.
Boiling points:
* Water: 100°C (212°F)
* KI: 1330°C (2426°F)
Therefore, KI has a significantly higher boiling point than water.