Air pressure is lower at high altitudes. An airplane cabin can adjust, but as the plane rises, passengers can experience temporary pain in their ears. Check all facts below that explain why. The air pressure in the ears increases. The air pressure in the ears decreases. The volume of air in the ears increases. The volume of air in the ears decreases. The change in volume causes discomfort. It takes time for the ears to dispell excess air past the ear drum.

Question

Jerome Estes

Chemistry

10 December, 17:54

Air pressure is lower at high altitudes. An airplane cabin can adjust, but as the plane rises, passengers can experience temporary pain in their ears. Check all facts below that explain why. The air pressure in the ears increases. The air pressure in the ears decreases. The volume of air in the ears increases. The volume of air in the ears decreases. The change in volume causes discomfort. It takes time for the ears to dispell excess air past the ear drum.

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Answers (2)

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Blaine Lee · Answer 1

The air pressure in the ears increases

The volume of air in the ears increases

The change in volume causes discomfort

It takes time for the ears to dispell excess air past the ear drum.

Explanation:

As the plane engages in a steep incline into the atmosphere, the outside atmospheric pressure decreases with altitude. The air pressure in the ear, therefore, become greater than atmospheric pressure. The air volume in the ear therefore grows and pushes on the ear causing discomfort. As the air in the cabin pressurizes the discomfort eases away as pressure equalization is restored relative to the ear.