Summary:
- Boiling points are affected by external pressure.
- At higher altitudes, the atmospheric pressure is lower.
- Pressure cookers do not allow the vapor to escape and the vapor pressure increases.
- The effect of decreased air pressure can be demonstrated by placing a beaker of water in a vacuum chamber.
- At a low enough pressure, about 20 mmHg, water will boil at room temperature.
- The boiling point of water is 100°C at sea level.
- At the summit of Mt.
- Everest, water boils at only 70°C.
- Use the resource below to answer the questions that follow.