Question

If a scuba diver's lungs have a normal capacity of 4.9 L at sea level (1.0 atm), what would be the volume of her lungs if the pressure at a depth of 50 ft is 975 mmHg?

Answer 1

The net pressure on lungs is outside-inside. Exactly what pressure is on the inside? Normally, on scuba diving, the presssure regulator keeps the inside pressure the same as outside, so net pressure is nil, and the lungs do not collapse. One does not want lungs to collapse.

Answer 2

6.3 L

Answer 3

3.8 L