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Since there is no pressure from the outside balancing the pressure from the inside shouldn't the atoms and molecules just separate from each other?

2007-11-13 15:37:21 · 5 answers · asked by two bit 3 in Science & Mathematics Astronomy & Space

But in outer space there is literally no pressure! In underwater there is pressure pushing in and out but in outer space it is only pushing out!

2007-11-13 15:44:09 · update #1

5 answers

Atoms and molecules are held by strong bonds. The pressure of atmosphere compared to their strength is nothing.

2007-11-13 15:47:41 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1 0

Matter holds together by the bonding forces between the atoms and molecules that compose it - it doesn't need any external pressure to hold it together. Keeping the ship together is just a matter of dealing with 15psi or so of pressure differential. The tires on your car handle twice that.

2007-11-13 23:51:57 · answer #2 · answered by injanier 7 · 0 0

Check out the things on Earth that can stand huge pressures. Your car tyres are pumped up to about 80psi, with an external pressure of 15psi, a net pressure of about 65psi. That's more than a spacecraft has to deal with in space. No pressure is not an infinite suction, it is just 0psi.

2007-11-14 08:25:13 · answer #3 · answered by Jason T 7 · 0 0

Atmospheric pressure at sea level is approx 24 psi. So all the hull has to hold back is 24 PSI. That's not really alot of pressure. Bicycle tires hold more pressure than that.

2007-11-13 23:47:51 · answer #4 · answered by jayhafe 2 · 0 1

The molecular integrity of the material of the spacecraft (aluminum, steel, ceramics, etc.) is stronger than the difference in pressure.
No different really than submarines that descent to great depths in the ocean. There is still a major difference in pressure, but submarines don't disintegrate when they return to the surface.

2007-11-13 23:41:41 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2 1

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