5. Anyone who scuba dives is advised not to fly within the next 24 h because the

Question

5.

Anyone who scuba dives is advised not to fly within the next 24 h because the air mixture for diving can introduce nitrogen into the bloodstream. Without allowing the nitrogen to come out of solution slowly, any sudden air-pressure reduction (such as during airplane ascent) can result in the nitrogen forming bubbles in the blood, creating the bends, which can be painful and even fatal. Military special operation forces are especially at risk. What is the change in pressure on such a special-op soldier who must scuba dive at a depth of 23 m in seawater one day and parachute at an altitude of 8.6 km the next day? Assume that the average air density within the altitude range is 0.87 kg/m^3. Pa

Explanation / Answer

Taking the density of seawater as 1020 kg/m^3 (it can be up to 1029) At 23m depth the pressure is 23 * 9.8 * 1020 Pascals = 229908 above atmospheric pressure.

At 8.6 km above the earth the pressure is reduced by 0.87 * 9.8 * 8600 = 73323.6 Pascals

The change in pressure is therefore 73323.6 + 229908 = 303231.6 Pascals or 3.032316 Bar

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