Vapor Pressure

Correct Answer: D. it increases, then becomes constant.

A pressure cooker fixes the atmospheric pressure to be higher than normal. In order for a liquid to boil, the vapor pressure inside of the container must be at least equal to the atmospheric pressure. For higher atmospheric pressures, like in a pressure cooker, the vapor pressure must also increase. Therefore, it takes longer for the vapor pressure of the gas to accumulate, leaving the liquid to become hotter and hotter. Once the boiling point is reached, the liquid is hotter than normal, cooking the food faster. Once the vapor pressure equals the environmental pressure of the pressure cooker, it remains constant. At this point the liquid is boiling and the vapor pressure of the liquid is equal to the atmospheric pressure of the pressure cooker. In this case, the only answer option that aligns correctly to what occurs in a pressure cooker is [D].

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