Prelims 2021 · Science and Technology · Question 68
In a pressure cooker, the temperature at which the food is cooked depends mainly upon which of the following?<br/>1. Area of the hole in the lid<br/>2. Temperature of the flame<br/>3. Weight of the lid<br/><br/>Select the correct answer using the code given below.
Answer
1 and 3 only
1. Area of the hole in the lid — Correct. The vent/hole helps regulate how much steam escapes; along with the regulator, it affects the pressure maintained inside, and hence the cooking temperature.
2. Temperature of the flame — Incorrect. A hotter flame mainly increases the rate of heating, but the cooking temperature in a pressure cooker is determined chiefly by the pressure inside once steam pressure is established.
3. Weight of the lid — Correct. In practice, the weighted valve/regulator determines the pressure at which steam is released; higher maintained pressure means higher boiling point and higher cooking temperature.
Therefore, the correct answer is 1 and 3 only.