How Is Oxygen Partial Pressure Maintained in Deep Sea Diving?

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the oxygen partial pressure for a deep sea diver at a depth of 50 meters. Using the formula P=patm + pgh, the diver's oxygen partial pressure is determined to be 127,197 Pa, accounting for the atmospheric pressure and the hydrostatic pressure due to water. To maintain the same oxygen partial pressure as at the surface, a mixture of helium and air is required, utilizing Dalton's Law to compute the necessary mixing ratio. The participants seek clarity on the calculations and methodology for achieving this gas mixture.

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1. A deep sea diver has descended a distance of 50m below the ocean surface. Asummer that he is supplied with air from the survace.
a) what is oxygen partial pressure in the lungs of the diver at this depth.
b) suppose we want the oxygen partial pressure in the lungs of the diver at this depth to be the same as that at the surface. This can be done by providing the diver with a mixutre of helium and air. Use Dalton;s Law to compute the proper mixing ratio in moles between helium and air and explain the mechanism.




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3. (a) I got this right I am pretty sure. I just did P=patm + pgh and got 605,700. Then multiplied it by 0.21 since oxygen is 21% of air and got 127,197 Pa.
(b) I couldn't do this one!
 
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It would be helpful if one showed the steps and units.

for part b. at the surface the pressure of air is 1 atm, 14.7 psia, or 101325 Pa, of which ~0.21 is oxygen.

What is the mixture of He/O2 such that the oxygen partial pressure is the same as the surface pressure when the diver is 50 m below the surface?
 

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