What effect does high altitude have on cockpit pressure?

High altitude significantly affects cockpit pressure due to the decrease in ambient atmospheric pressure as an aircraft ascends. As altitude increases, the external air pressure decreases, which can lead to a situation where the pressure inside the cockpit (and cabin) can become lower than the desired operating levels, resulting in cockpit under pressurization.

The design of an aircraft's pressurization system typically compensates for this decrease in external pressure by maintaining a cabin altitude that is much lower than the actual altitude, but in some cases, if there are malfunctions or if the pressurization system is unable to maintain adequate pressure, the cockpit can experience under pressurization. This condition can be dangerous as it may affect the comfort and safety of the flight crew and passengers, potentially leading to hypoxia if not appropriately managed.

Therefore, the assertion that high altitude may cause cockpit under pressurization aligns with the physical principles governing atmospheric pressure and the operational requirements of aircraft systems in high-altitude environments.