Why Aren't We Crushed by the Massive Amount of Air Above Us?

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The discussion centers on why humans are not crushed by the massive weight of the atmosphere, estimated to exert a pressure of about 14.7 psi at sea level. The key point is that air pressure acts in all directions, creating a balance of forces around the body, which prevents crushing. The random thermal motion of air molecules contributes to this equilibrium, allowing them to exert forces without a net downward force overwhelming the body. Additionally, the buoyant force from the surrounding air helps counteract any potential crushing effect. Ultimately, the combination of balanced pressure and thermal energy ensures that we remain unaffected by the weight of the atmosphere above us.
  • #31
er.manya said:
maybe the area covered by the atmosphere distributes the force exerted by it to such an extent that it makes it minimal on us? correct me please if I am wrong...
As stated several times in this (several year old) thread, air pressure is about 14.7 pounds per square inch.
 
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  • #32
as we go underwater our body succumbs to the pressure extended by water plus the atmospheric pressure..maybe we are like solid blocks...a solid block can bear the force of an anvil coming on it up to certain limit but after that limit it breaks or crushes(as in the peanut and the elephant thread).maybe our body is capable enough to withstand the 14.7 pounds per square inch of pressure...
 
  • #33
or maybe the surface of the Earth is like a neutral point where the net pressure of the atmosphere is 0 and as we go below the Earth's surface (underwater) the force vectors start to play again...
 
  • #34
There are no maybes here; this is very well understood.

What exactly is confusing you?
 

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