In this episode Terenzio and Sinfosio talk about the boiling temperature at different altitudes.
At viridarium of Villa Sinfosis, 5:00 pm
Terenzio joins Sinfosio during his otium
Terenzio: << Good morning Master, can I ask you what you are doing standing there and staring at that tree? >>
Sinfosio: << No, you cannot, but since you have already asked me, I’ll give you the answer. Dear Terenzio, I’m looking at this tree and thinking. Looking at this tree, I’m trying to understand the reason for the static nature of the human thought: the tree, although motionless, moves its leaves, its branches always tend upwards, every season is renewed… The human being is a strange being, the more time passes, the more it becomes motionless, the more it becomes one with the earth. Unlike trees >>.
T << What a deep thought, Master! >>
S << Luckily, my dear, every now and then there is someone like you who opens their ears and listens to the sages… at least I hope so >>.
T << Don’t misunderstand me, but I can’t wait to talk to you and learn more about what surrounds us. Well, this time I want to test you. Do you know why water boils at 100°C? >>
S << Dear Terenzio, there is no reason why water should boil at 100°C, behind this statement of yours there is a sea of ignorance, and now I will explain why. First, we are at sea level and here water boils at 100°C but if you go up to higher altitudes, perhaps up that mountain, the same water would boil at a lower temperature. If you moved to that mountain, in addition to staying well away from me, you would save a lot of wood too because to boil your water you would need less heat for your fire >>.
T<< But why does the water boil at less than 100 °C on the mountains Master? >>
S << Because the atmosphere is more rarefied. That’s why! >>
Terenzio scratches his head and is afraid to ask more, because the master is more nervous today than usual, but then he doesn’t hold back and blurts out
T << And what would that mean? Simpler words? >>
S << Terenzio! Not everything can be translated into simple words even if fools would love it! >>
T << I know Master, but I really didn’t understand! Rarefied atmosphere? In the sense that the air is lighter? >>
S << Kinda, Terenzio! Let’s say that the air has less particles per unit volume above the mountains over there. The more you go near to sea level, the denser the air in the atmosphere, and this entails that air particles exert a greater pressure. While the higher you climb, for istance on the mountains, the more air particles start to become scarce and therefore their pressure on external objects will be lower >>
T << Do you mean, Master, that there is less air on the mountains? But I breathe there, indeed even better! I start to suppose that you make fun of me today! >>
S << Malum Terenzio! I’m not in the mood for jokes today! Yes, there are fewer particles in the air, but you breath well anyway because there are still enough >>
T << But Master then why does the water boil before? >>
S << Because water boils at 100°C at a pressure of 1 atmosphere, but if you go up a mountain the atmospheric pressure is lower and therefore the water boils at a temperature lower than 100°C >>
T << But I still don’t understand Master! An example? >>
S << If I press my hand on your mouth, Terenzio, can you speak easily or will it be more difficult to get the air out of your mouth? >>
T << I would struggle more, for sure! And you must see if I put an air cap in the backside, what a struggle it would be to free myself! Hahaha … Master where are you going? Don’t go away! It was a stupid joke>>
Sinfosio is about to go to the thermal baths, but Terenzio takes him by the arm…
S << Terenzio, Let me go to the thermal baths, I don’t have time to waste today with dumbs! >>
T << Age Maestro! I think I’ve got it now. I imagine as if the air particles put pressure on the liquid and since there are fewer air particles pressing on the liquid on the mountains, then the water boils more easily! Because the weight that the water has to overcome in order to evaporate, is less! Isn’t it? >>
S << Ah finally Terenzio! you were about to make me impatient… Do you know another very funny thing about boiling temperature? Did you know that iron needs a temperature of 2,862°C to boil? And what about gold? Only 2,808°C. I think you will need a lot of wood for these two elements … >>
T << Tell me more, I’m curious >>
S << Well, your mercury thermometer would boil when your body temperature reaches 357°C. And do you know that to boil ammonia you only need to go to the South Pole? A temperature of -34°C is enough. Finally, you will marvel at the boiling temperatures of oxygen and hydrogen! You have to go much lower than the south pole, precisely -183°C and -253°C >>
T << That’s very nice…where can I find all this information? >>
S << Let’s go to the thermal baths, we will keep discussing there! >>