Problem 13
Question
The total lung volume for a typical physics student is 6.00 \(\mathrm{L}\) . A physics student fills her lungs with air an absolute pressure of 1.00 atm. Then, holding her breath, she compresses her chest cavity, decreasing her lung volume to 5.70 \(\mathrm{L}\) . What is the pressure of the air in her lungs then? Assume that temperature of the air remains constant.
Step-by-Step Solution
Verified Answer
The final pressure in the lungs is 1.05 atm.
1Step 1: Identify the Known and Unknown Variables
We are given the initial volume of the lungs \(V_1 = 6.00\, \text{L}\), the initial pressure \(P_1 = 1.00\, \text{atm}\), and the final volume \(V_2 = 5.70\, \text{L}\). We need to find the final pressure \(P_2\) in the lungs after compression.
2Step 2: Apply Boyle's Law
Boyle's Law states that for a given mass of gas at constant temperature, the product of pressure and volume is constant: \(P_1 V_1 = P_2 V_2\). We can use this relationship to find the unknown pressure.
3Step 3: Substitute the Values into Boyle's Law
Plug in the known values into the equation: \(1.00\, \text{atm} \times 6.00\, \text{L} = P_2 \times 5.70 \text{L}\).
4Step 4: Solve for the Unknown Pressure
Rearrange the equation to solve for \(P_2\): \[P_2 = \frac{1.00 \times 6.00}{5.70}\] Calculate the value of \(P_2\).
5Step 5: Calculate the Result
Carrying out the calculation gives \(P_2 = 1.053 \text{ atm}\). Therefore, the pressure of the air in her lungs after compression is approximately 1.05 atm.
Key Concepts
Understanding Lung Volume and Its RolePressure Calculation Using Boyle's LawExploring the Gas Laws in Respiratory Context
Understanding Lung Volume and Its Role
Lung volume refers to the amount of air that the lungs can hold at any given time.
It's an essential part of understanding how the respiratory system works.
In this exercise, we are told that the initial lung volume of the student is 6.00 L.
This is considered a typical lung capacity for an average adult.
When the student compresses her chest cavity, the lung volume decreases to 5.70 L. Such changes in lung volume can occur during different breathing actions, like inhalation and exhalation.
Knowing the lung volume is crucial in analyzing respiratory functions and in calculations that involve gas behaviors, as shown in this exercise. It's this change in volume that triggers a corresponding change in pressure according to Boyle's Law.
When the student compresses her chest cavity, the lung volume decreases to 5.70 L. Such changes in lung volume can occur during different breathing actions, like inhalation and exhalation.
Knowing the lung volume is crucial in analyzing respiratory functions and in calculations that involve gas behaviors, as shown in this exercise. It's this change in volume that triggers a corresponding change in pressure according to Boyle's Law.
Pressure Calculation Using Boyle's Law
Pressure calculation in this context involves understanding the relationship between pressure and volume observed in gases. This relationship is elegantly described by Boyle's Law, which states that for a given amount of gas at constant temperature, the product of its pressure and volume remains constant.
In mathematical terms, this is expressed as: \[ P_1 V_1 = P_2 V_2 \]where:
In mathematical terms, this is expressed as: \[ P_1 V_1 = P_2 V_2 \]where:
- \( P_1 \) is the initial pressure
- \( V_1 \) is the initial volume
- \( P_2 \) is the final pressure
- \( V_2 \) is the final volume
Exploring the Gas Laws in Respiratory Context
Gas laws explain how gases behave under various conditions, and they are critical in many fields, including medicine and physics. In this exercise, we focus on Boyle's Law, which describes how pressure and volume of a gas relate when temperature remains constant.
The significance of Boyle's Law in the respiratory system is evident when we consider how our lungs operate. As the lung volume decreases, like during exhalation, the pressure within the lungs increases if the temperature of the air remains constant. This is exactly what happens when the student compresses her chest cavity; the smaller volume results in higher air pressure inside her lungs, as calculated.
The significance of Boyle's Law in the respiratory system is evident when we consider how our lungs operate. As the lung volume decreases, like during exhalation, the pressure within the lungs increases if the temperature of the air remains constant. This is exactly what happens when the student compresses her chest cavity; the smaller volume results in higher air pressure inside her lungs, as calculated.
- Boyle's Law illustrates the inverse proportionality of volume and pressure: as one increases, the other decreases.
- It is an essential concept for understanding breathing dynamics and ventilator mechanics.
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