CameraIcon
CameraIcon
SearchIcon
MyQuestionIcon
MyQuestionIcon
1
You visited us 1 times! Enjoying our articles? Unlock Full Access!
Question

Explain why a fountain pen leaks in aeroplane at high a altitude.

Open in App
Solution

The atmospheric pressure decreases with altitude because gas molecules which make up the air concentrate near lower altitude in response to Earth’s gravity. Hence, air pressure is low at higher altitudes. Fountain pens or toothpastes brought to higher altitudes from lower altitude regions contain air at high pressure (equal to that of the low altitude region it is brought from). Due to this difference in air pressure, the air inside the pen forces the ink to come out. This equalizes the air pressure inside and outside the pen (Boyle’s Law: PV=constant). Hence the pen leaks.

flag
Suggest Corrections
thumbs-up
7
Join BYJU'S Learning Program
similar_icon
Related Videos
thumbnail
lock
Air Moves
GEOGRAPHY
Watch in App
Join BYJU'S Learning Program
CrossIcon