Final answer:
The partial pressure of oxygen at different altitudes can be calculated using the given information. The extreme drying of breathing passages occurs at high altitudes due to low humidity levels.
Step-by-step explanation:
The partial pressure of oxygen at the top of Pike's Peak can be found using the formula:
Partial Pressure of Oxygen = Total Pressure * Percentage of Oxygen
Given that the total pressure at sea-level is 1.01 x 105 N/m² and the oxygen content is 20.9%, we can calculate the partial pressure of oxygen at sea-level by multiplying these values.
Similarly, for Mt. Everest, we can use the given information of its atmospheric pressure (3.30×104 N/m²) and oxygen content (20.9%) to find the partial pressure of oxygen.
Once the partial pressure is identified, we can calculate the percentage oxygen required at the respective altitudes to have the same partial pressure as at sea-level.
As for the extreme drying of breathing passages at high altitudes, it occurs due to the low humidity levels in the air, which causes excessive evaporation of moisture from the respiratory system.