Question

15) On a cold day, you take in 4.2 L (i.e., 4.2 x 10-3 m3) of air into your lungs at a temperature of 0°C. If you hold your breath until the temperature of the air in your lungs reaches 37°C, what is the volume of the air in your lungs at that point, assuming the pressure does not change?

Answer 1

Answer:

4.8L ( i.e 4.8 x 10^-3 m3)

Explanation:

Step 1:

Data obtained from the question.

Initial volume (V1) = 4.2L

Initial temperature (T1) = 0°C

Final temperature (T2) = 37°C

Final volume (V2) =?

Step 2:

Conversion of celsius temperature to Kelvin temperature. This is illustrated below

K = °C + 273

T1 = 0°C = 0°C + 273 = 273K

T2 = 37°C = 37°C + 273 = 310K

Step 3:

Determination of the final volume.

Since the pressure is constant,

Charles' Law equation will be applied as shown below:

V1 /T1 = V2/T2

4.2/273 = V2 /310

Cross multiply to express in linear form

273 x V2 = 4.2 x 310

Divide both side by 273

V2 = (4.2 x 310)/273

V2 = 4.8L ( i.e 4.8 x 10^-3 m3)

Therefore, the volume of the air in the lungs at that point is 4.8L ( i.e 4.8 x 10^-3 m3)