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Chapter 12: Problem 16
Explain why the interior of an airplane is pressurized when flying at highaltitude. If a hole were punctured in an exterior wall, what would happen tothe air pressure inside the plane?
Short Answer
Expert verified
The airplane cabin is pressurized to ensure sufficient oxygen for passengers at high altitudes. A hole in the exterior wall would cause rapid decompression, lowering the cabin's air pressure.
Step by step solution
01
Understanding Air Pressure
At high altitudes, the air pressure is significantly lower than at ground level. This low pressure cannot support human life because it does not provide enough oxygen for passengers and crew to breathe comfortably.
02
Pressurizing the Cabin
To ensure the safety and comfort of those on board, the airplane cabin is pressurized. This means the aircraft's systems maintain a higher air pressure inside the cabin, similar to air pressure at lower altitudes, which provides sufficient oxygen.
03
Consequences of a Puncture
If a hole were punctured in the exterior wall of the airplane, the pressurized air inside would rush out through the hole in an attempt to equalize the pressure with the outside lower-pressure environment. This rapid loss of pressure is called decompression.
04
Equalizing Pressure
Due to this decompression, the air pressure inside the cabin would drop, making it difficult for passengers and crew to breathe without supplemental oxygen masks.
Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Air Pressure
At high altitudes, the outside air pressure is much lower than it is at sea level. This low pressure is not sufficient to support human life because it doesn't provide enough oxygen for our bodies. Without adequate air pressure, our bodies can't take in the oxygen we need to function properly. To give you an idea, the air pressure at 35,000 feet (common cruising altitude for airplanes) is less than a quarter of what it is at sea level. This drastic difference is why cabine pressurization is essential. It ensures that the environment inside the airplane remains at a pressure level comparable to what you would experience at around 6,000 to 8,000 feet above sea level, making it more suitable for breathing.
Decompression
Decompression is what happens when there is a sudden drop in air pressure within the airplane cabin. It can be caused by a puncture or any other breach in the aircraft's exterior. In the event of decompression, the pressurized air inside the cabin rapidly escapes through the puncture. This rush of air moves toward the lower pressure outside the airplane in an attempt to equalize the pressures. This results in a sudden and dramatic change in the cabin environment. Cabin decompression is dangerous because the decrease in air pressure makes it difficult for passengers and crew members to breathe, necessitating the use of oxygen masks.
Cabin Safety
Ensuring cabin safety is critical during a flight. Airplanes are designed with multiple safety features to handle possible decompression events. These features include oxygen masks that drop automatically in front of passengers and crew when sensors detect a significant drop in cabin pressure. Additionally, the plane's structure is built to withstand such pressure changes. Pilots are trained to descend the aircraft to a lower altitude where normal air pressure is present, allowing passengers to breathe without supplemental oxygen. Regular maintenance and rigorous safety checks are performed on airplanes to minimize the risk of cabin breaches that could lead to decompression.
Oxygen Levels
One of the main reasons for pressurizing airplane cabins is to maintain safe oxygen levels. Humans need a certain amount of oxygen to survive and function normally. This is why at high altitudes, where oxygen levels are lower, the air inside the cabin is pressurized. In the event of decompression, supplemental oxygen masks provide an immediate supply of oxygen. These masks deliver a higher concentration of oxygen than what is available in the surrounding air, ensuring that passengers and crew can breathe sufficiently until the aircraft descends to a safer altitude. Maintaining proper oxygen levels is crucial for preventing hypoxia, a condition caused by insufficient oxygen that can impair cognitive and physical functions.
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