Buffalo, NY - Imagine being surrounded by tons of air that could potentially crush you, yet you remain unscathed. This is the fascinating reality of Earth's atmospheric pressure, a phenomenon explored by Canisius University Physics Professor Michael Wood, PhD, in a recent edition of Live Science.
"Our bodies have evolved over time to withstand the pressures," Wood says. He notes that the atmosphere exerts approximately 14.7 pounds per square inch on our bodies—equivalent to the weight of a large bowling ball—but we don't collapse under this force.
The secret lies in balance. The air inside our bodies matches the external pressure, creating an equilibrium that prevents us from being compressed. This delicate pressure system changes with altitude, causing the familiar ear "popping" during airplane flights as internal and external pressures equalize.
Wood also highlights the critical role of atmospheric pressure in space exploration. "Without air pressure pushing down on the human body, internal pressure would cause the body to inflate like a balloon," he explains, underscoring why spacesuits are essential for survival beyond Earth's protective atmospheric envelope.
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