Question

What is the partial pressure elevation of O2 at the top of Mt. Everest (elevation 29,029) in mmHg if atmospheric pressure is 250 mm Hg? Assume that the air is still 20.9% O2.

Answer 1

The partial pressure elevation of O2 at the top of Mt. Everest, with an atmospheric pressure of 250 mmHg, is approximately 42.68 mmHg.

Step-by-step explanation:

To calculate the partial pressure elevation of O2 at the top of Mt. Everest, we need to calculate the partial pressure of oxygen based on its percentage in the air at sea level and then convert it to the elevation of Mt. Everest. First, we calculate the partial pressure of oxygen at sea level using the atmospheric pressure and oxygen percentage:

Partial pressure of O2 at sea level = Atmospheric pressure * Oxygen percentage (%)

Partial pressure of O2 at sea level = 250 mmHg * 0.209 = 52.25 mmHg

Now, we can use the altitude difference between sea level and the top of Mt. Everest to calculate the partial pressure elevation of O2:

Partial pressure elevation of O2 = Partial pressure of O2 at sea level - Altitude difference * (Atmospheric pressure / 760)

Partial pressure elevation of O2 = 52.25 mmHg - 29029 ft * (250 mmHg / 760 mmHg) = 52.25 mmHg - 9.57 mmHg = 42.68 mmHg

Therefore, the partial pressure elevation of O2 at the top of Mt. Everest is approximately 42.68 mmHg.