why would it take longer to cook food in the mountians than at sea level?
less gravity
and colder
thanks sarah
There isn't anything wrong with Sara's answers but they don't answer the question. The reason it takes longer to cook food in the mountains as that the air pressure is less the higher we go. The boiling point of water is the temperature at which the vapor pressure of the water is the same as atmospheric pressure; therefore, if the pressure is lower, then the boiling point of water is lower. Thus you are trying to cook food with boiling water which is at, say, 95 degrees celsius instead of the normal boiling point of 100 degrees celsius. Of course it takes longer to cook food when the heat source is lower in T.
Sarahs answer was the answer i neded
The main reason why it takes longer to cook food in the mountains compared to sea level is due to differences in atmospheric pressure. At higher elevations, the atmospheric pressure is lower, meaning the boiling point of water is lowered. Here's an explanation of how to calculate the impact of altitude on cooking times:
1. Understanding boiling point: At sea level, water boils at 100 degrees Celsius (212 degrees Fahrenheit) because the atmospheric pressure is higher. However, as you gain altitude, the pressure decreases, and so does the boiling point of water.
2. Determine the boiling point: To find the boiling point at a specific altitude, you can use a general rule that the boiling point decreases by 1 degree Celsius (1.8 degrees Fahrenheit) for every 285 meters (935 feet) increase in altitude.
3. Adjust cooking times: Since water boils at a lower temperature in the mountains, it means that the heat transfer from the stove to the food is reduced. This results in a longer cooking time to reach the desired internal temperature of the food.
4. Experiment and adapt: Cooking times in the mountains can vary based on altitude and the specific recipe. It's important to experiment and adapt as needed to achieve the desired results. Monitoring the food's internal temperature using a thermometer is a helpful tool to ensure it is fully cooked.
So, when cooking at higher altitudes, it may be necessary to increase cooking times or adjust the cooking techniques to compensate for the lower boiling point of water.