Book 1, Question 14 · Video
Why Do Your Ears Pop on a Plane or in a Car?
That funny pop in your ears is all about air pressure! When you go up high in a plane, or change height quickly on a hilly car ride, the air pressure outside changes. A small passa
Read the full answer →What Crafty Clover says in this video
Intro
Hi! I'm Crafty Clover! Let's discover something amazing. Why do ears pop on a plane or in a car?
The Big Idea
Ever felt your ears go pop on a plane, or driving up a big hill? That funny pop happens because of air pressure! Air is always gently pushing on everything, even your ears. Let's see how it works, in three steps!
Pressure Changes
Step one: air pressure changes. Up high, the air is thinner, so it pushes less. When you fly, or drive up a mountain, the pressure outside your ear changes quickly. But the air inside hasn't caught up, so your ear feels stuffy!
Eustachian Tube
Step two: meet the eustachian tube! It connects your middle ear to the back of your throat. When the pressure changes, it lets air in or out, To equalize, or balance, the pressure inside your ear.
Swallow or Yawn
Step three: swallow or yawn! Most of the time, the tube stays closed. But when you swallow or yawn, it opens for a moment. Air rushes through, and POP! Back to normal.
A Closer Look
Let's peek inside your ear! Here's your eardrum, a thin skin that vibrates with sound. Behind it is your middle ear, a tiny air-filled space. The eustachian tube runs from there, down to your throat. When it opens, the pressure on both sides of the eardrum balances.
Quick Facts
Quick facts! Chewing gum helps! All that swallowing keeps the tubes opening, so fewer pops. Babies often drink a bottle during takeoff, which helps their ears too. A stuffy cold makes popping harder, because the tubes swell. And super fast elevators can pop your ears too!
Think Like a Scientist
Now, think like a scientist! On your next hilly car ride, notice when your ears feel stuffy. Then swallow, or yawn. What happens? Why do you think that is? Record what you notice!
Outro
So that pop is your body keeping things in balance, way up in the air, or down the road! Remember, Crafty Clover can be found on Amazon Books, Google Bookstore, and Apple Books. Available for purchase or download! Bye for now!