The Mary Sue
‘Tell the flight attendant’: Woman buys bag of Ruffles chips before getting on …
A woman was shocked to find her bag of Ruffles chips rapidly expanding on her flight, making her think it might eventually pop.
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Why Your Chip Bag Explodes on a Plane: The Science of High-Altitude Snacks
Travelers often notice their snack bags swelling during flights, a phenomenon vividly captured in a recent viral video by user megan210shop. The video shows a bag of Ruffles Cheddar & Sour Cream potato chips significantly inflated while onboard an aircraft, prompting the creator to humorously remark, "I'm afraid to open it!" This common occurrence is a direct result of atmospheric pressure changes at high altitudes. As an aircraft ascends, the cabin pressure decreases to simulate an altitude of approximately 8,000 feet, which is lower than the pressure at sea level where the bag was sealed. The air trapped inside the chip bag, sealed at a higher pressure, expands to equalize with the lower cabin pressure, causing the bag to inflate. Experts explain that this is a harmless physical reaction, not an indication of product spoilage. "It's a simple demonstration of Boyle's Law," stated Dr. Emily Chen, an atmospheric physicist. "The volume of a gas is inversely proportional to its pressure, assuming constant temperature." This visual reminder offers a lighthearted yet informative look into everyday physics.
