What does the term “volatile” refer to in chemical terminology?

In chemical terminology, "volatile" describes substances that readily vaporize at normal temperatures. This characteristic refers to the tendency of a substance to transition from a liquid or solid state into a gas at low temperatures, which is typically due to the relatively weak intermolecular forces present within the substance. Volatile compounds include many solvents and certain fuels, allowing them to evaporate quickly and contribute to various chemical processes and applications.

The other descriptions do not accurately align with the concept of volatility. For instance, conductivity pertains to a material’s ability to conduct electricity, which is not inherently related to how easily a substance can vaporize. Reactivity, on the other hand, describes how readily a substance will participate in chemical reactions, an aspect that does not connect to the vaporization process. Lastly, substances with high boiling points tend to require heat to vaporize and do not align with the definition of being volatile, as volatility implies the ability to evaporate at lower temperatures.