Which condition is necessary for the gas-filled space to sustain damage due to pressure changes?

The condition that the gas-filled space must be rigid and sealed is crucial for sustaining damage due to pressure changes. When a gas-filled space is rigid, it means that the walls of the space do not deform easily under pressure. If the space is sealed, it prevents any gas from escaping or entering, leading to a situation where internal pressure can increase significantly if external pressure increases or if the temperature changes.

In a rigid and sealed environment, the gas molecules are confined and unable to escape. As pressure changes due to external conditions or internal temperature variations, the stress on the walls of the gas-filled space increases. If this stress exceeds the material strength of the walls, damage such as rupture or structural failure can occur.

For example, in deep-sea diving scenarios, if air is trapped in a non-compliant chamber and the diver ascends causing external pressure to decrease, the trapped air expands. If the chamber is not designed to handle such expansion, it can fail catastrophically.

In contrast, collapsible or adaptable spaces do not maintain their shape under pressure changes and can accommodate fluctuations in volume, which reduces the risk of damage. Such spaces allow for pressure equalization and provide a safety mechanism against the harmful effects of abrupt pressure changes.