Page 85 - The Glory in the Heavens

on the planet Mercury. There is no atmosphere on this

planet. However, an atmosphere is essential for life. So

far, we have mentioned the importance of the gases in

the atmosphere, such as oxygen, or the protective fea-

tures of the atmosphere. There is, however, also the

weight of the atmosphere, which is fundamental to

human life.

The atmosphere is made of light air.
This does not mean that the atmosphere has no

weight. Actually, these layers of air kilometres-thick

rising above us are very heavy.

According to research, the atmosphere applies
83
tons of weight in pressure on every one of us. This is

r
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a
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e

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called "air pressure". Now you may raise the question,
"
e
"So, why aren't we crushed?" We aren't crushed
because our bodies are created with the strength to
withstand the weight of the atmosphere. We would no
longer function or even exist in an environment with a
lower air pressure. That is because, without this pres-
sure, the blood circulating rapidly in our body would
exert tremendous pressure on our veins. Unless bal-

anced by atmospheric pressure, our veins would burst

due to the high pressure.

Therefore, it is not possible for human beings to