Chapter 14, Problem 115A

Infer Dehydration occurs when more fluid is lost from the body than is taken in. Scuba divers are advised to hydrate their bodies before diving. Use your knowledge of the relationship between pressure and gas solubility
to explain the importance of hydration prior to a dive.

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

The importance of hydration during divehave to be explained by knowledge of the relationship between pressure and gas solubility.

Concept introduction:

Solubility can be defined as maximum amount of solute that can dissolve in known amount of solvent at a given temperature and pressure.

Henry’s Law: The solubility of a gas in liquid is directly proportional to the pressure of the gas above the liquid at a certain temperature.

Answer to Problem 115A

During a dive the pressure increases with the depth of water, the concentration of gas in blood also increases. Concentration of gas is higher in water depth than the normal levels. So, extra amount of solvent in blood is required to dissolve that gas. So the diver should get hydrated to have extra amount of solvent which is needed to dissolve extra solute.

Explanation of Solution

The solubility of a gas in liquid is directly proportional to the pressure of the gas above the liquid at a certain temperature. During a dive the pressure increases with the depth of water, the concentration of gas in blood also increases. Concentration of gas is higher in water depth than the normal levels. So, extra amount of solvent in blood is required to dissolve that gas. So the diver should get hydrated to have extra amount of solvent which is needed to dissolve extra solute.