Question

Why do our ears pop when we go to the mountains?

Answer 1

Hint As the altitude rises above the sea level, the pressure due to the air in the atmosphere decreases with an increase in altitude. Our ears are closed off the surroundings usually and might not have pressure inside equal to the outside pressure.

Complete step by step answer
When we climb a mountain, we’re increasing our altitude with respect to the sea level. With increasing altitude, the atmospheric pressure decreases.
Our ears however have a tube called that eustachian tube that connects the middle of the ear with the back of the nose and upper throat. Through this tube, our ears are connected to the outside world. This tube is usually closed and hence the pressure inside the ear and in the outside atmospheric pressure can be different.
Different actions like swallowing or yawning could open this tube and hence allow the pressures inside and outside the ear to equalize. Chewing gum can also help in opening the tube passage.
When we’re climbing mountains, the pressure outside the ear drops due to the high altitudes. After a certain point, the pressure difference inside and outside the ear can become large enough to force open the tube so that the pressures can equalize inside and outside. When this happens, we hear a loud pop due to the sudden opening of the tube and the balance of pressure inside and outside the ear.

Note
Ear-popping can happen in all kinds of situations where there is a pressure difference from the sea level atmospheric pressure like in an airplane as well as in under-sea water dives. We must know that the air pressure decreases with increasing altitude as the temperature drops as well and this is the reason mountain climbers wear warm clothes and carry oxygen tanks with them since it is difficult to breathe in low pressures.