Final answer:
To calculate the maximum force on an aneurysm due to blood pressure, convert blood pressure from mm Hg to pascals, then multiply by the area of the aneurysm. With a pressure of 150 mm Hg and an area of 20.0 cm², the force on the aneurysm is 40 newtons. This can lead to further enlargement and potential complications.
Step-by-step explanation:
The subject of the question is physics, specifically focusing on the concepts of pressure and force within the circulatory system. To calculate the maximum force exerted by the blood on an aneurysm in a major artery, we need to convert the maximum blood pressure from mm Hg to pascals (SI unit of pressure) and then apply the formula Force = Pressure × Area. Given that the maximum blood pressure is 150 mm Hg, which is equivalent to 20,000 pascals (using the conversion factor 1 mm Hg = 133.322 pascals), and the effective area of the aneurysm is 20.0 cm² (which is 0.002 m² after converting cm² to m²), the maximum force exerted can be calculated by multiplying pressure and area:
- Force (N) = Pressure (Pa) × Area (m²)
- Force (N) = 20,000 Pa × 0.002 m²
- Force (N) = 40 N
This force of 40 newtons is significant enough to cause further enlargement of the aneurysm, which can result in even greater force on the weakened vessel wall, potentially leading to severe health complications. The resilience of artery walls and their ability to handle this force is compromised by conditions such as atherosclerosis, which is characterized by the build-up of plaque, leading to reduced blood flow and increasing the risk of heart attacks or strokes.