Why airplane windows have a small hole in it?
In: Engineering
It is to equalize the pressure between the interior and exterior panes. They do not go all the way to outside
Airplane windows are composed of multiple layers, and the small hole allows the air pressure to equalize between some of the inner layers. It also prevents moisture buildup that could result in condensation that fogs up the view.
Air pressure within airliners varies quite a bit, they are pressurized above ambient pressure during flight but below ground level pressure. Without a hole the layers of the windows would have significant pressure one way or another, imposing undue material stresses.
The hole allows air to flow back and forth so there is no pressure difference which would bend the acrylic glass of the window which would lead to cracks.
The inner windows are to prevent things from damaging the outer window. The outer window is solid, the inner ones have holes in them so that they don’t have air trapped between the layers which could damage the window when the pressure changes.
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