High School

Which of the following supply pressures would be appropriate for an air/oxygen proportioner?

A. 30 psi
B. 50 psi
C. 100 psi
D. 760 psi

Answer :

Final answer:

The appropriate supply pressure for an air/oxygen proportioner would be equivalent to the partial pressure of oxygen at sea level, which can be calculated using the ideal gas law.

Explanation:

To determine the appropriate supply pressure for an air/oxygen proportioner, we need to understand the gas laws related to pressure and partial pressure. In the context of scuba diving, it is important to maintain the same partial pressure of oxygen as at sea level to avoid any adverse effects such as decompression sickness. Therefore, the appropriate supply pressure for an air/oxygen proportioner would be equivalent to the partial pressure of oxygen at sea level, which can be calculated using the ideal gas law.

According to the example given in the provided information, at sea level, dry air contains 20.9% oxygen and has a total pressure of 1.01 x 105 N/m². So, the partial pressure of oxygen at sea level can be calculated by multiplying the total pressure by the percentage of oxygen: 1.01 x 105 N/m² * 0.209 = 2.11 x 104 N/m².

Based on this calculation, none of the given supply pressures of 30 psi, 50 psi, 100 psi, or 760 psi are accurate. The appropriate supply pressure for an air/oxygen proportioner would be around 2.11 x 104 N/m².