Question

Suppose the airlock fails, and there is a sudden explosive decompression between the inside of the Hab with about 1 atm, and the outside of the Hab with the atmospheric pressure on Mars. Which direction will potato plants be pulled? Further into the Hab or out of the Hab?

Answer 1

Potato plants will be pulled out of the Hab in the event of an explosive decompression due to the lower atmospheric pressure on Mars compared to the pressure inside the Hab.

Step-by-step explanation:

If there is an explosive decompression scenario where the airlock between the inside of the Hab (with about 1 atm pressure) and the Martian atmosphere fails, the potato plants will be pulled outwards from the Hab. This is due to the significantly lower atmospheric pressure on Mars compared to the pressure inside the Hab. In this situation, the air inside the Hab, which is at a higher pressure, will rush out to the lower pressure environment, which is the Martian atmosphere. As the air moves out, it could potentially carry lightweight objects, such as the potato plants, with it.

This process resembles the principles behind decompression events that are also applicable to underwater scenarios like a submarine, mentioned in the context given. The same principles of pressure differentials that determine the force required to open a submerged hatch would apply here, though with gases instead of liquids.

Answer 2

Out of the Hab.

Step-by-step explanation:

The atmospheric pressure on Mars is less than 1% of Earth's atmospheric pressure (0.088 psi) so if the airlock fails then the potato plants in the Hab will be pulled outside of the Hab because of the low pressure outside.

I hope this answer helps.