Use the paragraph to complete the activity.

Divers who go to great depths in the ocean experience large differences in pressure between the surface and their final destinations below the surface. At times, they have to avoid quick changes in pressure because of the effects on the solubility of nitrogen in their blood. If the solubility decreases quickly, then gas bubbles can form in the person’s blood, causing a dangerous condition called “the bends.”

In one or two sentences, state whether you would expect the condition to be a greater hazard for divers as they dive down or as they return to the surface. Then, explain your prediction in terms of the solubility of gases in liquids at different pressures.

7 answers

I would expect the condition known as "the bends" to be a greater hazard for divers as they return to the surface. This is because, at higher pressures underwater, nitrogen is more soluble in the diver's blood, but as they ascend and pressure decreases, the solubility of nitrogen decreases rapidly, potentially leading to the formation of gas bubbles and causing the dangerous condition.

In three to five sentences, explain how acid rain is formed and how it impacts humans.

Acid rain is formed when pollutants such as sulfur dioxide (SO₂) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) are released into the atmosphere, primarily from industrial activities, vehicle emissions, and the burning of fossil fuels. These pollutants react with water vapor, oxygen, and other chemicals in the atmosphere to produce sulfuric and nitric acids, which then fall to the ground as precipitation. Acid rain can have significant impacts on humans by harming ecosystems, damaging crops, and degrading water quality, which can lead to health issues. Moreover, it can corrode buildings, monuments, and infrastructure, leading to costly repairs and maintenance. Ultimately, the effects of acid rain can pose risks to both the environment and public health.

in one or two sentences, explain how Rutherford’s model of an atom changed scientific knowledge and describe the evidence that justified the model.

Rutherford's model of the atom revolutionized scientific knowledge by introducing the concept of a small, dense nucleus at the center of the atom, surrounded by orbiting electrons, rather than a "plum pudding" model where electrons were dispersed throughout a positively charged sphere. This model was justified by his gold foil experiment, which showed that a small fraction of alpha particles were deflected at large angles, indicating the presence of a concentrated positive charge in the nucleus, rather than being uniformly distributed as previously believed.

What was Rosalind Franklin, James Watson and Francis Crick’s discovery, and what did it lead to? In three to five sentences, explain your answer.

Rosalind Franklin, James Watson, and Francis Crick's discovery was the structure of DNA, elucidated as a double helix composed of two intertwined strands held together by base pairs. Franklin's X-ray diffraction images of DNA provided critical evidence of its helical structure, while Watson and Crick used this information, along with Chargaff's rules of base pairing, to build their model. This groundbreaking discovery led to a fundamental understanding of genetic inheritance and laid the groundwork for molecular biology, including advancements in genetics, genetic engineering, and biotechnology. It also opened up avenues for research into the mechanisms of various diseases and the development of targeted therapies.