why are airplanes pressurized?

Subject: why are airplanes pressurized?

Date: Thu Jan 25 00:57:52 2001
Posted by john
Grade level: No grade entered. School: No school entered.
City: No city entered. State/Province: No state entered. Country: No country entered.
Area of science: Physics
ID: 980402272.Ph

Message:


Why are the cabins pressurized in airplanes?  If the airplane is airtight 
and not very flexible it seems that the airplane would not need 
pressurizing.  Does the reduced air pressure around the plane expand the 
plane enough that air needs to be pumped in?  This question comes up after 
the unfortunate accident where a flight steward was blown out of the plane 
while he was trying to open the door. apparently the pilot had not 
depressurized the cabin yet...anyway, is there something I'm missing 
here?  thank you in advance

Re: why are airplanes pressurized?

Current Queue | Current Queue for Physics | Physics archives

Try the links in the MadSci Library for more information on Physics.