[Phys-L] Re: ear pressure

[Scott Goelzer <s.goelzer@COMCAST.NET>]

According the Merck - 2 atm (33 ft)  will cause tissue damage.
http://www.merck.com/mmhe/print/sec24/ch295/ch295b.html

I know that diving to 10 ft in pool w/o clearing my ears is very
painful - 30 ft must be agonizing.



Scott


**********************************
Scott Goelzer
Physics Teacher
Coe-Brown Northwood Academy
Northwood NH 03261
603-942-5531e218
sgoelzer@coebrownacademy.com
**********************************


On Feb 1, 2005, at 1:02 PM, Brian Whatcott wrote:

> At 08:29 AM 2/1/2005, you wrote:
> > I know that humans can withstand accelerations of around 7 g's before
> > passing out, and that fighter pilots often wear G suits to handle up
> > to 9
> > g's or so. I'm now teaching fluids, and a student asked what
> > pressures the
> > human body (specifically, the ear) can withstand. Does anyone know
> > these
> > limits when going under water (ear drum pressing inward), or rising
> > in the
> > atmosphere (ear drum pressing outward?
>
>
> Folks who have flown commercial airlines with a head cold have
> experience
> of a pressure difference on the ear drum due to a blocked Eustachian
> tube.
> Airliners stabilize cabin altitude well under 10,000 ft, and at that
> perceived altitude, the pain can be intense. This is less than 5 psi
>   differential. It represents a comparable difference to diving to
>   11 feet under water.
>
>
>
> Brian Whatcott    Altus OK    Eureka!