• ryannathans
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    4 days ago

    I feel like a delta of less than 10 psi doesn’t sound so bad

    • vithigar@lemmy.ca
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      4 days ago

      It depends on the size of the opening. If it’s small that’s no problem. You could block a 1 inch pipe at 10psi with your bare hand and be largely fine. It’s a little less than 10 pounds of force assuming a round opening.

      The problem is that the total force scales geometrically with the size of the opening. Make it two feet wide at the same 10psi and now you’ve got about 4500 pounds of force trying to push you though that opening should you find yourself in the unfortunate situation that it’s been completely blocked by your body.