Question

The human lungs can function satisfactorily up to a limit where the pressure differ- ence between the outside and inside of the lungs is one-twentieth of an atmosphere. If a diver uses a snorkel for breathing, how far below the water can she swim? Assume the diver is in salt water whose density is 1025 kg/m3.

Answer 1

The correct answer is 0.53 meters.

Explanation:

The given density of water is 1025 kg/m^3

Gauge pressure, that is, (P2 - P2) = Po/19

Here Po = 1.013 * 10^5 Pa

= 1.0.13 * 10^5 Pa / 19 = 5331.58 Pa

The change in pressure associated with the depth is given by the formula:

P2 -P1 = ρgh

h = P2 - P1 / ρg

h = 5331.58 Pa / 1025 kg/m^3 * 9.8 m/s^2

h = 0.53 m

Thus, the driver can swim 0.53 meters below water.