superheated liquids

A superheated liquid is a liquid that has been heated beyond its boiling point without actually boiling. Normally, a liquid turns to vapor at its boiling temperature, but if it's very pure and contained carefully—such as in a smooth, undisturbed container—it can become hotter than its normal boiling point without boiling. This state is unstable; any disturbance or addition of impurities can cause the liquid to suddenly and rapidly turn into vapor. Superheated liquids are often used in specialized applications like sterilization and certain heating processes, but they must be handled with care due to their unpredictable boiling behavior.