Earth Science: Geology, the Environment, and the Universe

Chapter 11: Atmosphere

Problem of the Week

A Weighty Matter

The conversion of 2 m² (given as the surface area of an average adult in ref. #4) is about 3100 in².

3100 in² x 14.7 = 45,570 pounds per square inch (psi)

-We don’t implode or aren’t crushed because the pressure inside our bodies, created by air with equal outward pressure in our lungs and other body cavities, and fluids that are not very compressible, keep us from being compacted.

-the amount of psi on our bodies would decrease as we went up in altitude.

-the amount of air pressure would decrease because the number of air molecules decreases as you go up in altitude.

Resources:

1. Atmospheric Pressure, JPL – Jet Propulsion Laboratory
   California Institute of Technology.
   
   
2. It’s a Breeze: How Air Pressure Affects You
   Sharron Sample. SAIC Information Services.
   
   
3. Atmospheric Pressure. WW2010
   Department of Atmospheric Sciences (DAS). University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
   
   
4. Human Skin
   A Level Biology. October 28, 1997.