Activity 1: Graphing Scuba Divers And Pressure 075676
Activity 1 Graphingscuba Divers Must Learn About Pressure Under Water
Activity 1: Graphing scuba divers must learn about pressure under water. At the water's surface, air exerts 1 atmosphere (atm) of pressure. Under water, the pressure increases. The pressure P (atm) varies with depth d (ft) according to the equation. Boyle's law (PV = k) states that the volume V of air varies inversely with the pressure P.
If you hold your breath, the volume of air in your lungs increases as you ascend. If you have 4 qt of air in your lungs at a depth of 66 ft (P = 3 atm), the air will expand to 6 qt when you reach 33 ft, where P = 2 atm. Using the data in the example above, make a table and graph to show how the volume of air in your lungs varies with depth. Make a table and graph to show how the volume of air in your lungs varies with pressure.
Paper For Above instruction
Understanding how pressure affects the volume of air in a diver's lungs is crucial for safe diving practices. Boyle's law provides the foundation for analyzing how air volume changes with pressure at varying depths underwater. This knowledge helps divers avoid lung over-expansion and other related hazards during ascents.
Mathematically, Boyle's law states that the product of pressure (P) and volume (V) remains constant at a constant temperature: PV = k. When considering diving scenarios, it is essential to recognize that pressure increases with depth, leading to a proportional decrease in volume if the amount of air remains constant, or conversely, an increase in volume if a diver holds their breath.
Given data, such as a diver with 4 quarts of air at 66 ft depth (P = 3 atm), and the same diver with 6 quarts at 33 ft depth (P = 2 atm), we can develop a table to depict how the volume varies with different depths and pressures.
Creating a table with mental calculation: at 66 ft (depth), pressure is 3 atm, volume is 4 qt; at 33 ft, pressure drops to 2 atm, and volume increases to 6 qt. Extending this pattern by calculating further depths and pressures helps create a comprehensive understanding:
| Depth (ft) | Pressure (atm) | Volume (qt) |
|---|---|---|
| 0 (surface) | 1 | 8 |
| 33 | 2 | 6 |
| 66 | 3 | 4 |
| 99 | 4 | 3 |
Plotting these points on a graph with depth on the x-axis and volume on the y-axis creates a hyperbolic curve illustrating how volume increases as depth decreases. Conversely, plotting pressure versus volume yields an inverse relationship, reinforcing Boyle's law's principle that as pressure decreases, the volume increases proportionally.
This understanding highlights the importance of controlled breathing techniques, especially during ascent, to prevent lung over-expansion injuries, such as pulmonary barotrauma. Proper exhalation during ascent allows the lungs to adjust gradually to decreasing pressure, mitigating potential hazards.
The graphical representations reinforce essential diving safety lessons. Divers are trained never to hold their breath, as rapid ascent combined with breath holding can cause dangerous lung overexpansion due to increasing volume, a direct consequence of Boyle's law.
References
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