[crazybouttennis]

What happens when the cap is removed from the radiator of a car at high altitude after the car has been driven for hours? Why?

I'm not sure if I'm right, but I think the coolant in the radiator would spray out because the pressure inside the radiator would high because of the heat of the engine and the atmospheric pressure would be low because of the elevation.  Therefore, the coolant could get pushed out by the gas particles inside the radiator because of the greater pressure inside the radiator.  I have to explain this using the kinetic molecular theory.  Am I right?

[Borek]

Think - how boiling point depends on pressure?

[crazybouttennis]

so, if the pressure is low due to the elevation, then the boiling point is lowered as well...so, the coolant would boil?  is that it?

[Borek]

Yes.

[crazybouttennis]

  Thanks!!!