Question

Consider the following statements:
Statement I:
The tanks used by scuba divers are filled with air diluted with helium.
Statement II:
For scuba divers ,increased pressure increases the solubility of atmospheric gases in blood, thus more \(N_2\) is dissolved in blood underwater at high pressure

Answer 1

Application of Henry's law :
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
To avoid bends, as well as, the toxic effects of high concentrations of nitrogen in the blood, the tanks used by scuba divers are filled with air diluted with helium. \((11.7\%~He, 56.2\%~N_2, 32.1\%~O_2)\)