Hypoxia and Medicine

Why does it take longer for an egg at high altitudes?

Public Comments

1. I think it's because there is less air pressure being exerted on the egg. Things cook faster if there is more pressure exerted on them to hold in heat.
2. It is directly related to pressure. (and other things, such as heat etc) but that is why there are some bird species for example that build very high ground nests which increases the pressure and heat and decreases incubation time. Think about how humans go at high altitudes. The blood has to become thicker in order for the same amount of oxygen to be transported as at lower levels. Basically the amount of gases take longer to circulate around the egg and therefore takes longer to grow and incubate.
3. Boiling point means the highest temperature in which the liquid remains in liquid state. At higher altitudes, as the pressure decreases, the boiling point of water decreases too. This means that even though the water boils, its temperature is not 100° C. In this scenario, the egg gets less heat and so it takes longer to be cooked.