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The boiling of any liquid is tied in to the atmospheric pressure, in an open system. Every liquid has it's own vapor pressure, that is the balance between the vapor and liquid phase. When atmospheric pressure decreases, the vapor pressure increases since now there is greater space for the molecules of the liquid to come into vapor phase. At higher altitudes, the atmospheric pressure is lesser, that is, the air is thinner. Thus the liquid can attain higher vapor pressure faster and boil at a lower temperature.

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9y ago
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12y ago

Water boils at a lower temperature at higher altitudes because water boils when the vapor pressure of the heated water matches the pressure of the atmosphere pushing downward. Since there is a higher atmospheric pressure at sea level than in say a mountain, the temperature needed to boil water decreases.

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9y ago

Boiling point of a liquid is the temperature at which its vapour pressure equals with the atmospheric temperature . So as in mountains the atmospheric pressure is less than that in ground less temperature is required to reach this condition and hence this occures ..

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8y ago

The boiling point of water will depend on the atmospheric pressure. The relationship is that the higher the pressure, the higher will be the boiling point, because the boiling point is when the vapor pressure of the liquid equals the atmospheric pressure. Up on a mountain, or high hill, the atmospheric pressure is lower, and therefore the boiling point is lower. Again, because water will boil when its vapor pressure is equal to the atmospheric pressure.

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13y ago

At lower pressure (up high in the mountains, or in a vacuum room) all liquids have lower boiling temperatures.

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Q: Why does water boil at a lower temperature on a mountain than sea level?
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How do you think boiling of water will change on sea level as compared to boiling water on a mountain top?

I think that the temperature required to boil water is lower at high altitudes (where the atmospheric pressure is lower) than at sea level.


Does water boil the same at sea level as it does at higher elevations?

Due to lower atmospheric pressure at altitude, water will boil at lower temperature.


What is the temperature of boiling water at sea level?

The temperature of boiling water at sea level is 100 The temperature of boiling water at sea level is 211.149°F.


Why does water on top of a mountain boil at lower temperature than a sea level?

Boiling and evaporation are basically the same change of phase -- from a liquid (water) to water vapor or steam. One of the factors of when this phase change occurs is "pressure". You can make water "boil" in a closed container without adding "heat" by simply by rapidly expanding the size of the container. Atmospheric pressure (literally the 'weight' of the air above) at mountain altitudes is less that it is at sea level. As a result, it takes less heat to make water evaporate or "boil" on top of a mountain.


Does water boil at a lower level above sea level?

First understand that the boiling of water occurs when the energy of water molecules is equal to the vapour pressure... (i.e energy of water is equal to the external pressure due to the atmosphere)... above sea level the atmospheric pressure is lower hence low energy is required... hence water boil at low temperature...

Related questions

How do you think boiling of water will change on sea level as compared to boiling water on a mountain top?

I think that the temperature required to boil water is lower at high altitudes (where the atmospheric pressure is lower) than at sea level.


Predict whether water would boil on top of a mountain at a higher or lower temperature than at sea level?

Water would boil higher at the top of a mountain than at sea level. This is because there is less atmospheric pressure at higher elevations.


Does it take longer to cook spagehtti at sea level or on a mountain?

The boiling temperature of water is dependent on the surrounding pressure. And air pressure decreases as you get higher up. As pressure decreases, so does the boiling point. This means that the water will start to boil faster on the mountain, but it will boil at a lower temperature. At a lower temperature, food takes longer to cook.


Why Poes water on top of a mountain boil at a lower temperature than at sea level?

It is the effect of air pressure. The air pressure at the top of a mountain is less than the air pressure at sea level. The effect of air pressure on a water surface is to prevent or oppose water molecules escaping from the surface. The greater the air pressure, the more heat energy is needed to allow the water molecules to escape and so at sea level the water will boil at a higher temperature than if it were on top of a mountain.


Why does water boils at lower temperature in a mountaintop?

Because in the mountaintop the pressure is lower than in the sea level; I think.


Does water boil the same at sea level as it does at higher elevations?

Due to lower atmospheric pressure at altitude, water will boil at lower temperature.


Why do elevations above sea level increase the cooking time of pasta?

As you get higher above sea level, air pressure decreases. Water boils at a lower temperature when the air pressure is lower. When the water temperature is lower, pasta and anything else takes longer to cook.


What is dependency of pressure and boiling point?

As air pressure drops over the water surface the boiling point will drop and vice versa. So a kettle of water will boil at a lower temperature at the top of a mountain than at sea level because there's lower air or atmospheric pressure at the mountain top. Pressure is proportional to boiling point


What will the effect of the lower water level in the boiler?

Effect of low water level in the boiler is rapid increase the temperature of the metal tubes, causing a collapse or rupture.


What will be the effect of lower water level in boiler?

Effect of low water level in the boiler is rapid increase the temperature of the metal tubes, causing a collapse or rupture.


Is water boiling below 100 degrees celsius on top of a mountain a physical property?

The boiling point varies in the same direction as the pressure. At the top of a mountain the air pressure is lower so water boils at a lower temperature. In a pressurized boiler system the pressure is higher so water boils at a higher temperature.


Why does water boil at a low temperature on a high mountain compared too at sea level?

Because there is less air pressure.