The volume of blood in the body of a diver is about 6 L

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SUMMARY

The volume of blood in a diver's body is approximately 6 liters, consisting of 55% blood cells and 45% plasma. To calculate the maximum volume of nitrogen that can dissolve in the diver's blood plasma at a pressure of 10.0 atm, Henry's Law is applied, with a Henry's constant for nitrogen at 37°C of 5.8E-7 mol*L^-1*atm^-1. The solubility equation is s = k * p, where 's' is the solubility, 'k' is the Henry's constant, and 'p' is the partial pressure of nitrogen. Using these values, one can determine the solubility and subsequently calculate the volume of nitrogen that can be dissolved.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Henry's Law and its application
  • Knowledge of gas laws, specifically PV=nRT
  • Familiarity with units of concentration (mol/L) and pressure (atm)
  • Basic algebra for solving equations
NEXT STEPS
  • Calculate nitrogen solubility using Henry's Law with varying pressures
  • Explore the implications of gas solubility in biological systems
  • Study the effects of pressure on gas exchange in divers
  • Research the physiological effects of nitrogen narcosis and decompression sickness
USEFUL FOR

This discussion is beneficial for divers, marine biologists, and professionals in the fields of physiology and environmental science who are interested in gas solubility and its effects on human health under pressure.

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the volume of blood in the bodyof a diver is about 6 L. Blood cells make up about 55% of the blood volume, and the remaining 45% is the aqueous solution called plasma. What is the maximum volume of nitrogen measured at 1.00 atm and 37C that could dissolve in the diver's blood plasma when the pressure is 10.0 atm. assume that henry's constant for nitrogen at 37C is 5.8E-7 mol*L^-1*atm^-1.

OK. I know I need to use henry's law, s=k*p, but I need some help calculating p, the partial pressure of nitrogen. Then I can use PV=nRT to solve for the volume, right?

TIA.
 
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As far as I know the equation for solubility is written :

[tex]p = K_c \cdot s~,~[/tex]

but, from the dimensions you quote for your value of k, your expression (s=k*p) is correct. So, my Kc is 1/k, but that's irrelevant now. Use your expression :

s = k*p

where :
k = 5.8E-7 mol/L-atm
p = partial pressure of nitrogen = 10 atm (I recommend this number, only because of lack of additional information...it may be that you must use 7.8 atm, but I'm not certain)


Plugging these in will give you s. But you know the volume of blood, so . . . . . .
 
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