Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Pressure Change
Pressure is defined as force per unit area. When there is a change in altitude, the atmospheric pressure changes, which can exert a force on surfaces, such as the eardrum. Understanding how pressure varies with altitude is crucial for calculating the force acting on the eardrum during ascent or descent.
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Atmospheric Pressure
Atmospheric pressure decreases with increasing altitude due to the reduction in the weight of the air above. At sea level, the standard atmospheric pressure is approximately 101,325 Pa. As one ascends, this pressure drops, and the difference between the internal ear pressure and external atmospheric pressure can lead to the sensation of 'popping' as the eardrum equalizes.
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Force Calculation
The force exerted on an area can be calculated using the formula F = P × A, where F is the force, P is the pressure difference, and A is the area. In this scenario, knowing the change in atmospheric pressure due to altitude change allows us to compute the force acting on the eardrum, which has a specific area of 0.20 cm².
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