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Chapter 15: Problem 1

Why do your ears "pop" when you drive up a mountain?

Short Answer

Expert verified
The 'pop' you hear when you drive up a mountain is caused by the equalization of pressure between your middle ear and the outside world, facilitated by the opening of the Eustachian tubes in your ears. As you climb up, atmospheric pressure decreases, but your internal ear pressure remains the same, causing your eardrum to bulge out. Once the pressure equalizes, which is facilitated by the Eustachian tubes, you hear a 'pop'.

Step by step solution

01

Understanding Atmospheric Pressure

Atmospheric pressure is the force exerted by the weight of the atmosphere, which is defined as the mass of air above a specific point. As you ascend a mountain, the atmospheric pressure decreases because there's less air above you. Hence, the weight of the air (atmospheric pressure) is lower.
02

Understanding Eustachian tubes

In our ears, there is a small channel known as the Eustachian tube, which connects the middle ear to the back of the nose and throat. One of the primary functions of the Eustachian tubes is to equalize the air pressure between the middle ear and the outside world.
03

Explaining the 'popping' sound

As you climb up a mountain, the external atmospheric pressure decreases, but the pressure inside your middle ear remains the same. This forms a pressure difference causing the eardrum to bulge outward. Through a reflex action, the Eustachian tubes open to allow the higher pressure air from the middle ear to rush out towards the lower pressure in the outer ear. This sudden rush of air causes the 'popping' sound that we hear.
04

Restoring the pressure balance

After the 'pop', the pressure in the middle ear and the external ear become equalized. This brings back the eardrum to its original state, relieving the discomfort and restoring normal hearing.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

Water pressure at the bottom of the ocean arises from the weight of the overlying water. Does this mean that the water exerts pressure only in the downward direction? Explain.

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