Question

What are some medical or commercial applications of gases, and how are gas laws a part of those applications? Post a thorough initial response to the discussion question (at least 7-10 sentences, or approximately 150-200 words).

Answer 1

To increase the solubility of CO2 in soft drinks and soda water, the bottle is sealed under high pressure as solubility increases with increase in pressure.

Scuba divers must cope with high concentrations of dissolved gases while breathing air at high pressure underwater. Increased pressure increases the solubility of atmospheric gases in blood. When the divers come towards surface, the pressure gradually decreases. This releases the dissolved gases and leads to the formation of bubbles of nitrogen in the blood. This blocks capillaries and creates a medical condition known as bends, which are painful and dangerous to life.

At high altitudes the partial pressure of oxygen is less than that at the ground level. This leads to low concentrations of oxygen in the blood and tissues of people living at high altitudes or climbers. Low blood oxygen causes climbers to become weak and unable to think clearly, and this is known as anoxia.