Question 28After hiking to the top of Mt. Everest, a patient reports having a more difficult time breathing than at sea level. What might be a possible explanation? A.The gas constant R is lower at the lower atmospheric pressures found at higher altitudes.B.The gas constant R is higher at the lower atmospheric pressures found at higher altitudes.C.The atmospheric pressure is lower at higher altitudes.D.The volume of the lungs is lower at higher altitudes.
Question
Question 28After hiking to the top of Mt. Everest, a patient reports having a more difficult time breathing than at sea level. What might be a possible explanation? A.The gas constant R is lower at the lower atmospheric pressures found at higher altitudes.B.The gas constant R is higher at the lower atmospheric pressures found at higher altitudes.C.The atmospheric pressure is lower at higher altitudes.D.The volume of the lungs is lower at higher altitudes.
Solution
The correct answer is C. The atmospheric pressure is lower at higher altitudes.
Here's the step-by-step explanation:
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Atmospheric pressure is the force exerted by the weight of the air in the atmosphere. It decreases with increasing altitude.
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At sea level, the atmospheric pressure is highest because there is more air above us pushing down.
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As you ascend to higher altitudes, like the top of Mt. Everest, the atmospheric pressure decreases because there is less air above you.
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This lower atmospheric pressure means there are fewer oxygen molecules in the same volume of air as there would be at sea level.
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The human body requires a certain level of oxygen concentration to function properly. When the atmospheric pressure is lower, and thus the oxygen concentration is lower, it can be harder to breathe and get the necessary oxygen. This is why people can experience altitude sickness in high places.
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Therefore, the patient's difficulty in breathing at the top of Mt. Everest can be attributed to the lower atmospheric pressure at that altitude.
Similar Questions
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