Chapter 18, Problem 18.62P

BIO A person at rest inhales 0.50 L of air with each breath at a pressure of 1.00 atm and a temperature of 20.0°C. The inhaled air is 21.0% oxygen. (a) How many oxygen molecules does this person inhale with each breath? (b) Suppose this person is now resting at an elevation of 2000 m but the temperature is still 20.0°C. Assuming that the oxygen percentage and volume per inhalation are the same as stated above, how many oxygen molecules does this person now inhale with each breath? (c) Given that the body still requires the same number of oxygen molecules per second as at sea level to maintain its functions, explain why some people report “shortness of breath” at high elevations.