Final answer:
If the cabin altitude of an airplane exceeds 14,000 ft, it can lead to symptoms of hypoxia and pose risks to passengers. Aircraft cabins are pressurized to maintain a lower altitude equivalent to around 8,000 ft to mitigate these effects.
Step-by-step explanation:
If the cabin altitude of an airplane exceeds 14,000 ft, it can have several effects on passengers. At high altitudes, the lower air pressure can cause a decrease in the amount of oxygen available, leading to hypoxia.
This can result in symptoms such as shortness of breath, dizziness, confusion, and even loss of consciousness. To mitigate the risk, aircraft cabins are pressurized to maintain a lower altitude equivalent to around 8,000 ft, reducing the effects of altitude on passengers.