Wednesday, May 21, 2003

 

So I just got e-mailed this question... How much does space suck? (as in, how much pressure does the vacuume of space have?)... So I respon with an explaination, and some links... but not the explaination I wanted to give *sigh*

So this is what I said:
An absolute vacuum is defined as 0 psi, or absolutely no pressure at all. Most vacuums are not exactly 0 psi, but very close. Some objects expand in a vacuum because there is not enough pressure to hold the object together, not because of "negative" pressure. Thus the power, or strength, of a vacuum is determined by how close it is to 0 psi.

When working with small pressure values, scientists usually use the unit torr, which is equal to 0.019 337 psi (1 mmHg). When testing spacecraft for the vacuum of space, NASA uses vacuum chambers that can reach pressures as low as 1 / 10,000,000 torr. So the pressure in space is, for the most part, negligible.

And this is what I wanted to add:
So, in essense, space does not suck at all, but neither does it blow.

Being professional sucks *grin*

posted by Deedee 12:12 PM