The students must be familiar with the states of aggregation of water and the transitions between the phases. They must also be acquainted with the representation of the phases on a phase diagram.
It is beneficial if they have prior knowledge about the dependence of the boiling point of water on air pressure and therefore on the altitude of a location where water is to be brought to a boil.
Degree of difficulty of the task: medium.
The teaching methods provide teachers with all the important information on using the worksheet of the same name and the related incremental hints in class. The scientific background on the task and possible variations are provided.
The six incremental hints for the task are provided with the corresponding answers. They are also available as a separate ready-to-print medium named “How does a pressure cooker work? (hints for printing)” or as an interactive medium named “How does a pressure cooker work? (interactive hints)” on the media portal of the Siemens Stiftung.

How does a pressure cooker work? (hints for printing) (Text)
How does a pressure cooker work? (interactive hints) (Interaktiv)
How does a pressure cooker work? (task) (Text)
Tasks with incremental hints – An introduction (Text)

Physics

Grade 5 to 6; Grade 7 to 9; Grade 10 to 13

Middle/high school

Gas; Pressure (physics); State of aggregation

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