Atmospheric pressure at the summit of Mount Everest is about one third the pressure at sea level, which is 760 mm Hg. If oxygen makes up 21% of the atmosphere by volume, the partial pressure of oxygen (PO₂) on Mount Everest is approximately ________.
A) 53 mm Hg
B) 157 mm Hg
C) 255 mm Hg
D) 760 mm Hg

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The atmospheric pressure at the summit of Mount Everest is about one third of 760 mm Hg, which is approximately 253 mm Hg. Since oxygen makes up 21% of the atmosphere, the partial pressure of oxygen is 0.21 * 253 mm Hg ≈ 53 mm Hg.

Atmospheric Pressure at the Summit of Mount Everest Is About