Log out Go to App
Go to App

Learning Materials

Features

Discover

Chapter 5: Problem 4

When you are in a plane flying at high altitudes, your ears often experience pain. This discomfort can be temporarily relieved by yawning or swallowing some water. Explain.

Short Answer

Expert verified
The pain in the ears during a high altitude flight is due to a pressure difference between the middle ear and the environment outside the ear. The Eustachian tube, which connects the middle ear to the throat, can help to balance this pressure difference when it is opened by actions such as yawning or swallowing, providing temporary relief from the discomfort.

Step by step solution

01

Understand the role of Eustachian tube

In the human ear, there is a tube called the Eustachian tube that links the middle ear to the pharynx, which is part of the throat. This tube is typically closed but can be periodically opened in various ways such as yawning, swallowing, or chewing.
02

Understand the concept of air pressure

Air pressure decreases with altitude. When a person is in a plane at high altitude, the air pressure in the environment is lower than the air pressure inside the middle ear. This pressure difference causes discomfort and pain in the ears.
03

Understand how yawning or swallowing relieves pain

Yawning, swallowing, or chewing allows for the Eustachian tube to open briefly, permitting air to flow from the throat into the middle ear or vice versa. This helps to balance the pressure on both sides of the eardrum, thereby providing temporary relief from the pain or discomfort.

Unlock Step-by-Step Solutions & Ace Your Exams!

  • Full Textbook Solutions

    Get detailed explanations and key concepts

  • Unlimited Al creation

    Al flashcards, explanations, exams and more...

  • Ads-free access

    To over 500 millions flashcards

  • Money-back guarantee

    We refund you if you fail your exam.

Start your free trial

Over 30 million students worldwide already upgrade their learning with Vaia!

One App. One Place for Learning.

All the tools & learning materials you need for study success - in one app.

Get started for free

Most popular questions from this chapter

Nitroglycerin, an explosive compound, decomposes according to the equation \(4 \mathrm{C}_{3} \mathrm{H}_{5}\left(\mathrm{NO}_{3}\right)_{3}(s) \longrightarrow\) $$ 12 \mathrm{CO}_{2}(g)+10 \mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{O}(g)+6 \mathrm{~N}_{2}(g)+\mathrm{O}_{2}(g) $$ Calculate the total volume of gases when collected at 1.2 atm and \(25^{\circ} \mathrm{C}\) from \(2.6 \times 10^{2} \mathrm{~g}\) of nitroglycerin. What are the partial pressures of the gases under these conditions?

A relation known as the barometric formula is useful for estimating the change in atmospheric pressure with altitude. The formula is given by \(P=P_{0} e^{-g .1 h / R T},\) where \(P\) and \(P_{0}\) are the pressures at height \(h\) and sea level, respectively; \(g\) is the acceleration due to gravity \(\left(9.8 \mathrm{~m} / \mathrm{s}^{2}\right) ; \mathscr{M}\) is the average molar mass of air \((29.0 \mathrm{~g} / \mathrm{mol}) ;\) and \(R\) is the gas constant. Calculate the atmospheric pressure in atm at a height of \(5.0 \mathrm{~km}\), assuming the temperature is constant at \(5^{\circ} \mathrm{C}\) and \(P_{0}=1.0 \mathrm{~atm} .\)

Propane \(\left(\mathrm{C}_{3} \mathrm{H}_{8}\right)\) burns in oxygen to produce carbon dioxide gas and water vapor. (a) Write a balanced equation for this reaction. (b) Calculate the number of liters of carbon dioxide measured at STP that could be produced from \(7.45 \mathrm{~g}\) of propane.

A quantity of \(0.225 \mathrm{~g}\) of a metal \(\mathrm{M}\) (molar mass = \(27.0 \mathrm{~g} / \mathrm{mol}\) ) liberated \(0.303 \mathrm{~L}\) of molecular hydrogen (measured at \(17^{\circ} \mathrm{C}\) and \(741 \mathrm{mmHg}\) ) from an excess of hydrochloric acid. Deduce from these data the corresponding equation and write formulas for the oxide and sulfate of M.

Nitrous oxide \(\left(\mathrm{N}_{2} \mathrm{O}\right)\) can be obtained by the thermal decomposition of ammonium nitrate \(\left(\mathrm{NH}_{4} \mathrm{NO}_{3}\right) .\) (a) Write a balanced equation for the reaction. (b) In a certain experiment, a student obtains \(0.340 \mathrm{~L}\) of the gas at \(718 \mathrm{mmHg}\) and \(24^{\circ} \mathrm{C}\). If the gas weighs \(0.580 \mathrm{~g},\) calculate the value of the gas constant.
See all solutions

Recommended explanations on Chemistry Textbooks

Chemical Analysis

Read Explanation

The Earths Atmosphere

Read Explanation

Ionic and Molecular Compounds

Read Explanation

Chemistry Branches

Read Explanation

Chemical Reactions

Read Explanation

Inorganic Chemistry

Read Explanation
View all explanations

What do you think about this solution?

We value your feedback to improve our textbook solutions.

Study anywhere. Anytime. Across all devices.

Sign-up for free