Produced by: Manoj Kumar
Earth’s atmosphere weighs an astounding 11.24 billion billion pounds, according to Rutgers professor Anthony Broccoli. A single cylindrical column of air, 1 foot in diameter, weighs 1,663 pounds.
We aren’t crushed by air pressure because it’s evenly distributed across our bodies. The air inside us pushes outward with equal force, creating a balance, says Broccoli.
Air pressure exerts 14.7 pounds per square inch on us—roughly the weight of a bowling ball. It’s a force our bodies have evolved to withstand, explains Michael Wood of Canisius University.
When air is removed, pressure imbalance becomes clear. For example, a vacuum cleaner nozzle can mimic the effect, showing the true force of air pushing against a vacuum.
At higher altitudes, air pressure decreases, causing sensations like ear popping. This happens as internal pressure struggles to match the external pressure during elevation changes, notes the AAO-HNS Foundation.
Without atmospheric pressure, as in space, the body would inflate like a balloon due to internal pressure pushing outward, warns Wood. Spacesuits prevent this by maintaining a pressurized environment.
Our bodies are perfectly tuned to atmospheric pressure after millions of years of evolution. Without this balance, even minor pressure changes would have devastating effects on our physiology.
The column of air above us may seem invisible, but it’s heavier than a compact car. This weight shapes weather patterns and life as we know it, Broccoli explains.
Air’s unseen pressure affects us daily, from how we breathe to how we experience altitude. It’s a silent force, delicately balanced to keep life thriving on Earth.