Page 64 - Physics Form 5 KSSM_Neat

Effects of Atmospheric Pressure at High Altitude and Effects of Pressure at
Extreme Depth under the Surface of the Sea
Figure 2.15 shows the effects of atmospheric pressure at high altitude. Figure 2.16 shows the
effects of pressure at extreme depth under the surface of the sea.

Atmospheric Pressure at High Altitude
KEMENTERIAN PENDIDIKAN MALAYSIA

At higher altitude:
• Thin of air causes the atmospheric pressure to Info GALLERY
become lower
• The percentage of oxygen in the air reduces • At the summit of Mount
Effects on human beings at high altitude: Kinabalu, the atmospheric
pressure is about 60 percent
• Increase in the rate of breathing of the atmospheric pressure
• Lower absorption of oxygen in the lungs at sea level.
• Increase in the metabolic rate • At the level of commercial
• Loss of appetite aircraft flight, atmospheric
• Dehydration pressure is only a quarter of
• Inability to think clearly the atmospheric pressure at
sea level.

Adaptations and actions
to be taken

Mountain climbers Aircraft
• Prepare and train before climbing • Increase the pressure in the aircraft cabin to
• Prepare equipment such as smartwatch match the sea level pressure
that can measure altitude, blood pressure • Recycle the air in the cabin so that it is fresh
and body temperature and contains adequate oxygen level
• Climb at a slow rate to allow the body to • Remind the passengers to drink enough
adjust to the changes in pressure water to prevent dehydration during long
• Drink water even when not thirsty to distance flights
prevent dehydration

Figure 2.15 Effects of atmospheric pressure at high altitude

I GALLERY
Outer space is the space outside the earth's atmosphere. The pressure in outer space is almost zero. The spacecraft that carries
astronauts needs:
• Pressurisation of the spacecraft cabin to match the atmospheric pressure on the earth so that astronauts do not need to wear
a pressure suit while in the spacecraft cabin
• Installation of an oxygen generator to supply oxygen to astronauts
• A supply of pressure suits to be worn by astronauts when exiting the spacecraft in order to balance the pressure in the body

54 LS 2.2.4