Conceptual Physics (12th Edition)

Published by Addison-Wesley
ISBN 10: 0321909100
ISBN 13: 978-0-32190-910-7

Chapter 14 - Think and Explain - Page 279-281: 56

Answer

Airplanes are pressurized to a comfortable level, and fly high up where atmospheric pressure is much decreased (page 265). The pressure difference between the inside and outside of the plane result in a force on each window (outward forces while flying, inward forces while descending for a landing) that is proportional to the window’s area. A larger window would have to also be thicker, resulting in much more weight.
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