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Q47 (CDS-I/2011) Science & Technology › Basic Science (Physics, Chemistry, Biology) › Thermal physics Answer Verified

In scuba-diving, while ascending towards the water surface, there is a danger of bursting the lungs. It is because of

Result
Your answer: —  Â·  Correct: B
Explanation

The danger of bursting lungs during a scuba diving ascent is explained by Boyle's Law, which states that at a constant temperature, the volume of a gas is inversely proportional to its pressure [2]. As a diver ascends, the ambient water pressure decreases significantly [2]. According to Boyle's Law (P1V1 = P2V2), this reduction in pressure causes the air trapped in the lungs to expand in volume [2]. If a diver holds their breath while ascending, the expanding air can exceed the lungs' capacity, leading to pulmonary barotrauma or 'bursting' of the lungs [1]. For instance, ascending from just 33 feet to the surface causes the air volume to double as the pressure drops from 2 ATA to 1 ATA [1]. This overexpansion injury is a critical risk managed through proper breathing and controlled ascent rates.

Sources

  1. [1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK482321/
  2. [2] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK559293/
  3. [3] Physical Geography by PMF IAS, Manjunath Thamminidi, PMF IAS (1st ed.) > Chapter 22: Vertical Distribution of Temperature > A Parcel of Rising Air > p. 297
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