Question

An airplane takes off at sea level and climbs to a height of 480 m. Estimate the net outward force on a passenger's eardrum assuming the density of air is approximately constant at 1.3 kg/m3 and that the inner ear pressure hasn't been equalized.

Answer 1

net outward force on a passenger's eardrum is 0.6115 N

Step-by-step explanation:

Change in pressure is calculated as follows

`\Delta P= \rho g h`

h= height of liquid column =480 m

ρ= density of liquid= 1.3 kg/m^3

putting values we get

`\Delta P= 1.3*9.8*480 g h`

ΔP= 6115 Pa

Area of the eardrum is approximately

= 1 cm^2

Therefore, net force F = AΔP

=
`1*10^(-4)*6115`

= 0.6115 N