UPSC Previous Year Question | Prelims GS | 2021

In a pressure cooker, the temperature at which the food is cooked depends mainly upon which of the following? 1. Area of the hole in the lid 2. Temperature of the flame 3. Weight of the lid Select the correct answer using the code given below.

  1. 1 and 2 only
  2. 2 and 3 only
  3. 1 and 3 only
  4. 1, 2 and 3

Answer

Correct Answer

1 and 3 only

Explanation

The cooking temperature is set by the steam pressure inside the cooker, which is regulated by the weight of the lid/valve and the area of the vent hole. Once the water boils, the flame temperature only affects how fast steam is produced, not the temperature at which food cooks.

Topics: heat & pressure, physics, pressure cooker and cooking temperature, science & technology