HI! How does Gay Lussac's law relate to scuba diving?- YEAR 11 CHEMISTRY

Question

For my assignment, i have to give a report on the importance of chemistry in scuba diving. i have done my abstract, however i don't know what to say about Gay Lussac's Law. I know what it is and that it has something to do with the amount of oxygen available in the scuba tank but that is it. PLEASE HELP ASAP

Answer 1

As you know, Lussac's Law states that there is a direct relationship (variation) between gas pressure and temperature when the volume is held constant:

 

P = k*T   (when V=constant)

 

Hence as the temperature rises, the pressure rises proportionally.  When the temperature decreases, so does the pressure.  A scuba tank has a constant volume.  Hence, its internal pressure changes as its temperature changes.  The temperature of the water varies with depth.  On the boat, the tank may be very hot, say 90^oF.  As you pump air into the tank, its internal temperature rises further.  As the diver enters the water and descends, the cooler water lowers the tank's temperature and its internal pressure will drop.  This reduces the amount of breathable air you can get from the tank, and thus reduces the amount of time you can spend submerged.  For more info, check out the following website:

 

http://www.carolina.com/teacher-resources/Interactive/scuba-diving-and-gas-laws/tr29802.tr