Will a Basketball Pop on an Airplane?

Airplanes fly at high altitudes, where the air pressure is lower than it is on the ground. This can cause a variety of items to expand, contract, or even burst. But what about a basketball? Will a basketball pop on an airplane?

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The Answer is Yes

The answer to the question of whether a basketball can pop on an airplane is yes. The lower air pressure at higher altitudes can cause a basketball to expand, and if it expands too much, it can burst, just like a balloon. This is because the air pressure inside the basketball is higher than the air pressure outside of it, and when the air pressure outside decreases, the air pressure inside increases and causes the basketball to expand.

The Risk

The risk of a basketball popping on an airplane is real, but it is also quite low. It is highly unlikely that a basketball will burst in a normal passenger flight, as the pressure inside the cabin is kept at a consistent level. This means that the pressure inside the basketball would not get high enough for it to burst.
However, there is still a risk that a basketball can burst if it is left in an overhead compartment during an extended period of time. This is because the pressure in the overhead compartment can decrease as the plane ascends to higher altitudes. If the pressure decreases enough, it can cause the basketball to expand and eventually burst.

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How to Minimize the Risk

To reduce the risk of a basketball popping on an airplane, it is best to keep it in the cabin with you rather than in the overhead compartment. The air pressure in the cabin will remain relatively consistent throughout the flight, so the risk of the basketball expanding and bursting is much lower.
It is also important to make sure the basketball is not over-inflated before the flight. An over-inflated basketball is more likely to burst, as the air pressure inside is already higher than the air pressure outside.

In Conclusion

In conclusion, a basketball can pop on an airplane, but the risk is quite low. The air pressure in the cabin remains relatively consistent throughout the flight, so the risk of the basketball expanding and bursting is minimal. However, it is best to keep the basketball in the cabin with you rather than in the overhead compartment and to make sure the basketball is not over-inflated before the flight. This will help to minimize the risk of the basketball popping on the plane.