If an alveolus with an initial volume of 3 ml of air with a total pressure of 810 mmhg decreases in volume to 1.7 ml, what would the new pressure be and in which direction would air flow? assume you are at sea level.

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Physics

16 July, 16:10

If an alveolus with an initial volume of 3 ml of air with a total pressure of 810 mmhg decreases in volume to 1.7 ml, what would the new pressure be and in which direction would air flow? assume you are at sea level.

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Presley Lynch · Answer 1

This question is answered by using Boyle's law which states that P1V1=P2V2. Therefore 3ml x 810mmHg = 1.7ml * P2. P2 in this case is 1429mmHg. Air flow would be out of the body into the environment, where atmospheric pressure is approximately 760 mmHg. Higher pressure flows into lower pressure areas.