A scuba diver has his lungs filled to half capacity (3 liters) when 10 m below the surface. If the diver holds his breath while quietly rising to the surface, what will the volume of the lungs be (in liters) at the surface? Assume the temperature is the same at all depths. (The density of water is 1.0 × 10³ kg/m³.)

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The volume of the lungs at the surface can be calculated using Boyle's Law, which states that the pressure of a gas times its volume is constant (P1V1 = P2V2) when temperature is constant. At 10m below the surface, the pressure is 2 atmospheres (1 atm from the air above the water and 1 atm from the 10m depth of water). At the surface, the pressure is 1 atmosphere. If the diver's lungs were filled to 3 liters (V1) at 2 atmospheres (P1), then at 1 atmosphere (P2), the volume (V2) would be:V2 = P1V1 / P2 = 2 * 3L / 1 = 6 liters.However, since the question specifies the volume at the surface as choices rather than a direct calculation, and none of the choices exactly match 6 liters, the closest correct choice given is 5.9 liters.

A Scuba Diver Has His Lungs Filled to Half Capacity