Answer :
Final answer:
The pressure at the top of Mount Everest, 235 mmHg, can be converted to approximately 0.309 atm and 30,680 Pa. The partial pressure of oxygen is around 6,897 N/m². Extreme drying occurs at high altitudes due to the reduced moisture-holding capacity of the air.
Explanation:
The pressure at the top of Mount Everest is about 235 mmHg. To convert this to different units, we can use the following conversions:
- 1 atm = 760 mmHg
- 1 pascal (Pa) = 1 N/m²
- 1 atm = 101,325 Pa
To convert mmHg to atm, we use the ratio 235 mmHg / 760 mmHg = 0.309 atm (which is approximately the pressure given in the problem as 0.308 atm). To convert mmHg to pascals (Pa), first convert to atm, then multiply by 101,325 Pa/atm. So for 235 mmHg, the conversion would be 235/760 atm imes 101,325 Pa/atm approx 30,680 Pa.
For the partial pressure of oxygen (O₂) at the top of Mount Everest, we can use the ratio of the percentage of oxygen in the air and the total atmospheric pressure. If atmospheric pressure is 3.30 x 10⁴ N/m² and oxygen makes up 20.9% of the atmosphere, the partial pressure of oxygen is 0.209 x 3.30 x 10⁴N/m² = 6,897 N/m² or 6.897 kPa.
Climbers experience extreme drying of their breathing passages because the air is very dry at high altitudes since the lower atmospheric pressure reduces air's capacity to hold moisture.
