Højdeilttryk

Højdeilttryk, also known as altitude oxygen pressure, refers to the partial pressure of oxygen in the Earth's atmosphere at a specific altitude. While the percentage of oxygen in the air remains relatively constant at about 20.9%, the atmospheric pressure decreases as altitude increases. This means that at higher altitudes, the total number of air molecules, including oxygen molecules, per unit volume is lower. Consequently, the partial pressure of oxygen, which is the pressure exerted by oxygen alone, is also reduced.

This phenomenon has significant implications for human physiology and various industries. For individuals, lower højdeilttryk at high altitudes can lead to altitude sickness due to insufficient oxygen supply to the body. This is why mountaineers and pilots often use supplemental oxygen. In aviation, pilots must account for reduced oxygen availability when planning flights and determining oxygen requirements. The concept is also crucial in diving, where divers must manage the partial pressure of gases, including oxygen, to avoid decompression sickness and oxygen toxicity. Scientific research involving atmospheric studies and environmental monitoring also relies on understanding højdeilttryk.