During rapidly decompression, what happens to air in the cabin?

During rapidly decompression, the behavior of air in the cabin is significantly influenced by the sudden drop in pressure. As the pressure inside the cabin decreases rapidly, the air expands and begins to rise toward the area of lower pressure, which is often near the failure point, such as a breach in the aircraft skin.

This phenomenon occurs because the laws of physics dictate that gases expand when cooled or when pressure drops, leading to a situation where the warmer, less dense air rises towards the lowest pressure area. This behavior can create turbulence in the cabin environment as the air shifts to re-establish equilibrium.

Understanding this concept is crucial for cabin crew and passengers as it explains how the environment in the cabin can change dramatically during an emergency situation. Recognizing that the air will rise toward the failure point helps in comprehending the dynamics of airflow within the cabin during and following the event of rapid decompression.