Final answer:
The pressure inside a full cylinder of oxygen is approximately 2,000 psi. High-pressure containers are engineered to hold much more than the usual pressure to ensure safety, such as withstanding up to 400 atmospheres. The significance of gas pressure can be appreciated by comparing it to the substantial atmospheric pressure exerted on the human body.
Step-by-step explanation:
The pressure of gas in a full cylinder of oxygen is typically around 2,000 pounds per square inch (psi). This high pressure allows for a large amount of oxygen to be stored in a compact space, which is critical for various applications such as medical use, welding, and in respiratory equipment for firefighters and scuba divers.
Containers for high-pressure gases like oxygen are designed with safety in mind, built to withstand pressures significantly higher than what they are typically filled to. For example, a cylinder designed to handle 200 atmospheres might have a safety factor of 2, meaning it should be able to withstand pressures up to 400 atmospheres. This is important to take into account because if a cylinder is exposed to heat, as from a fire, the pressure inside can rise dramatically, potentially leading to failure if the pressure exceeds the cylinder's rated capacity.
The amount of pressure exerted by gases such as oxygen at sea level is substantial when you consider it in the context of atmospheric pressure, which is 14.7 psi. This pressure equates to a total force of about 45,000 pounds on the average human body. The reason we do not feel crushed by this force is due to the internal pressure within our bodies balancing out the external atmospheric pressure.