Question

A bellows-type spirometer is calibrated using a 3-L syringe, and the following data are recorded2.56 L2.57 L2.54 LWhich of the following is the most likely explanation for these results?

a) Leak in the spirometer system
b) Calibration error in the syringe
c) Changes in atmospheric pressure
d) Subject variability in breathing pattern

Answer 1

A bellows-type spirometer showing consistent under-measurement during calibration with a 3-L syringe suggests a leak in the spirometer system.

Step-by-step explanation:

The student asks about a discrepancy in the readings obtained from a bellows-type spirometer using a 3-L syringe, where the recordings were 2.56 L, 2.57 L, and 2.54 L. The most likely explanation for these results, given that the volume should be consistent at 3 L, is (a) a leak in the spirometer system. A leak would lead to the loss of some air during calibration, resulting in a measurement lower than the actual 3-L syringe volume. The other options, such as calibration error in the syringe (b), changes in atmospheric pressure (c), and subject variability in breathing pattern (d), are less likely to cause this consistent under-measurement error in a controlled calibration setting.