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(a) Explain the following phenomena with the help of Henry’s law.

(i) A painful condition known as bends.

(ii) Feeling of weakness and discomfort in breathing at high altitude.

(b) Why soda water bottle kept at room temperature fizzes on opening?

Answers (1)

 (a)

  1. Deep sea divers require compressed air for breathing under water, which has both N_2 and O_2. In atmospheric conditions, N_2 isn’t soluble in blood, but at higher pressure (as you go deeper into the ocean, the pressure increases) it starts dissolving. When the diver comes back up, the pressure decreases and N_2 comes out of the body, leaving behind bubbles in the blood stream, which restrict the flow of blood affecting nerve impulses. In worse cases, these bubbles can burst the capillaries and not let O_2 reach the tissues. This condition, known as bends, is very painful and can even be life-threatening.
  2. In lower pressure (at higher altitudes), O_2 exhibits a lower partial pressure, resulting in lower oxygen concentration in blood and tissues. This condition is known as anoxia and leads to climbers becoming weak and losing ability to think clearly.

(b) CO_2 isn’t very soluble in soft drinks at atmospheric pressure. So, to dissolve CO_2 in soft drinks, soda bottles are sealed under high pressure. However, when the bottle is opened, the pressure decreases suddenly and excess CO_2  fizzes out.

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