Final answer:
Contraction of the inspiratory muscles reduces thoracic pressure and increases thoracic volume. This is explained by Boyle's law, which states that the pressure of a gas is inversely proportional to its volume.
Step-by-step explanation:
Contraction of the inspiratory muscles reduces thoracic pressure and increases thoracic volume. This is known as Boyle's law. Boyle's law states that the pressure of a gas is inversely proportional to its volume. In the case of breathing, when the inspiratory muscles contract, the thoracic cavity expands, resulting in a decrease in pressure and an increase in volume. As a result, air rushes into the lungs to equalize the pressure.