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How do passengers on an airplane survive the extremely low air pressure at high altitudes?
Wiki User
∙ 12y ago
In short they don't.
Small light unpressurised aircraft fly relatively low, so the air pressure is acceptable. Large aircraft (heavy jets etc) use a pressurised hull, air is pumped into the cabin which is kept at an acceptable density.
This is why you hear about explosive decompression, and why aircraft flying at high altitude have oxygen masks which drop from the cabin roof for each passenger in the event of decompression.
Without them you would die of oxygen starvation.
Wiki User
∙ 12y ago
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What happens to you if you are sucked out of a plane during decompression?
When a plane loses pressure by depressurization, air escapes through an opening in the plane. Depressurization can cause passengers to have trouble breathing at certain altitudes.
Which altitudes would have the lowest air pressure and why?
The highest altitudes have the lowest air pressure. Air pressure increases as altitude decreases. Above sea level is lower pressure; below sea level is higher pressure.
Why ice melts slowly at higher altitudes?
because there is low pressure at higher altitudes
Why air is not drawn upward as the pressure at higher altitudes is greater than that in lower altitudes?
When I point out the fallacies in the question, it will be answered.-- The pressure at higher altitudes is less than the pressure at lower ones.-- The pressure acts downwardanyway.Just keep in mind that the whole phenomenon of air pressure is the resultof the weight of air, meaning the force of gravity attracting air toward thecenter of the Earth. Notice how all fear, doubt, and confusion have vanishedas if by magic.
Why is it possible to boil normal water at higher altitudes?
There is lower air pressure.
When you are landing in an airplane does the air pressure increase or decrease?
It increases. In an unpressurized airplane, the pressure increases because the air is denser at lower altitudes. In a pressurized airplane, the pressure increases both because the pressure must be equalized before the doors can open and because the hull is not designed to withstand an outside pressure higher than the inside pressure.
How swallowing relieves the pain in the ear during the rapid ascent or descents of the airplane?
Releases the pressure built up at different altitudes.
What is airplane cloud?
when jet air craft travels at high altitudes, the air gets condensed due to variation in atmospheric pressure as well low temperature.
Why is an airplane cabin air pressurized?
At altitudes above 10,000 feet there is not enough air for humans to breathe. Aircraft cabins are pressurized so the pressure is equal to that at about 7,000 feet. Commercial airliners fly at altitudes up to 40,000 feet.
What is the purpose of valsalva manoeuvre?
The purpose is to equalize the pressure on both sides of the ear drums. It can prevent problems when ascending to and descending from high altitudes such as when on an airplane or a high rise elevator.
What happens to you if you are sucked out of a plane during decompression?
When a plane loses pressure by depressurization, air escapes through an opening in the plane. Depressurization can cause passengers to have trouble breathing at certain altitudes.
Why passengers of airplane are provided with chocolates?
They are not always provided with chocolate. More common is a hard candy to help you swallow to adjust your ear pressure from changing altitude.
Is air pressure greater at high altitudes or low altitudes?
It is greater at a lower altitude.
Why are aircraft cabins pressurized to 8000ft and not 0ft?
The fuselage of most aircraft is not strong enough to withstand that pressure. The air pressure is very low at high altitudes, and if the inside pressure was set to 0 ft (an extremely high pressure), the fuselage would burst.
Why are airplane doors and windows completely sealed?
Modern jet airplanes fly at high altitudes, where there is less air and therefore less oxygen. Aircraft cabins are pressurized so that pilots and passengers can have enough oxygen to breathe. There is a high air pressure inside the cabin because outside air (and oxygen) is forced into the cabin by the engines in order to pressurize the inside of the airplane, and this gives people enough oxygen to breathe. This is only possible because the airplane is sealed; if the windows and doors were open, the engines wouldn't be able to pressurize the cabin.
Why must airplane cabins be pressurized?
Because at altitudes above 10,000 feet there is not enough air for humans to breathe. Aircraft cabins are pressurised so that the internal pressure is equal to that at about 7,000 feet.
What does air pressure do as altitudes?
Air pressure increases as altitude decreases.
