How does your body keep from being crushed from air pressure?
The human body is able to withstand the pressure exerted by the surrounding air due to the balance between internal pressure and external pressure. To understand how the body keeps from being crushed, let's look at the concept of pressure.
Pressure is the force exerted on an object divided by the area over which the force is applied. In the case of air pressure, it is the force exerted by air molecules due to their random motion colliding with surfaces. The higher the number of air molecules colliding with a surface, the higher the pressure.
Now, when it comes to the human body, the internal pressure is crucial in maintaining equilibrium with the external pressure. Our bodies are mostly composed of fluids such as blood and other bodily fluids. These fluids exert an internal pressure, commonly referred to as hydrostatic pressure.
The hydrostatic pressure exerted by our body fluids is equal in all directions, balancing out the external pressure acting on the body. This equilibrium prevents the body from being crushed by the surrounding air pressure.
Additionally, our bodies are not completely filled with fluids. We have air-filled spaces in our lungs, sinuses, and middle ear, which helps in equalizing the pressure. The air-filled spaces, such as the lungs, expand or contract to adjust to the changes in the surrounding air pressure, further regulating the internal pressure.
It's worth noting that our bodies are well adapted to normal atmospheric pressure found at sea level. However, sudden changes in pressure, such as during high-altitude flights or deep-sea diving, can put stress on the body. In these cases, specific measures need to be taken to maintain equilibrium, like using appropriate breathing techniques or specialized equipment.
In summary, the human body is protected from being crushed by the air pressure due to the balance between internal and external pressures. The internal hydrostatic pressure exerted by our bodily fluids and the presence of air-filled spaces help maintain this equilibrium.