Why must piolets wear oxygen masks when they fly at very high altitudes?

i need a response for my science homework?





hehehe


thanks





hint: and its not because when the more high u go the less oxygen there is...THATS WHAT I WRTOE DOWN AND ITS WRONG..LOLWhy must piolets wear oxygen masks when they fly at very high altitudes?
In the troposphere, pressure decreases with height. The concentration of oxygen in the mixture of atmospheric gases is proportional to the atmospheric pressure. Meaning, if the pressure decreases, so does the concentration of oxygen.





Maybe your teacher was looking for Hypoxia as the answer? When your brain becomes oxygen starved after about 10,000 feet, because of the decrease in oxygen concentration.





I don't know why you got that wrong, I would have put something similar to your answer.Why must piolets wear oxygen masks when they fly at very high altitudes?
The cockpit is pressurized, just like on commercial airliners. But with a fighter jet It is more likely to take on enemy fire and the glass or any part of the cockpit could be cracked thus losing pressure. The mask is in case you do go into combat and you lose cabin pressure you can still maneuver yourself to fight or escape to safety.
If you're speaking of military aircraft, many are pressurized, in which case an oxygen mask isn't necessary. However, if the cockpit is unpressurized, above 10,000 feet the air becomes too thin to maintain a conscious state. So, the mask provides that breathable air.
Ahhhh... I'm a rocket scientist (really), and an engineer at Kennedy Space Center, FL...... that's what I would have written.





There is approximatley 20% less atmosphere at 14,000 feet, and I've suffered tremendously from altitude sickness.... due to lack of oxyen at altitude.