Question

Altitude affects water bath canning processing times. This is due to the fact that as altitude increases, the temperature of boiling water _____ while processing times must be _____.

1) Increases, shortened
2) Increases, lengthened
3) Decreases, shortened
4) Decreases, lengthened

Answer 1

As altitude increases, the boiling point of water decreases, causing the temperature of boiling water to decrease as well.

Step-by-step explanation:

As altitude increases, the boiling point of water decreases, causing the temperature of boiling water to decrease as well. This is because at higher altitudes, the atmospheric pressure is lower. With less pressure pushing down on the surface of the liquid, water boils at a lower temperature. For example, at sea level, water boils at 100°C, but in Denver, which is at a higher altitude, water boils at about 95°C.