Scuba Diving Physics and Physiology of Diving

Question 1

How much does absolute pressure increase for every 33 feet (10 meters) of seawater depth?

Accepted Answer

1 ATM (14.7 psi)

Answer

2 ATM (29.4 psi)

Answer

0.5 ATM (7.35 psi)

Answer

3 ATM (44.1 psi)

Question 2

According to Boyle's Law, if a diver exhales a 4-liter bubble at 66 feet (3 ATM absolute), what volume will it be at the surface?

Accepted Answer

12 liters

Answer

8 liters

Answer

6 liters

Answer

4 liters

Question 3

Which gas law explains why a diver's lungs could rupture if they hold their breath while ascending?

Accepted Answer

Boyle's Law

Answer

Henry's Law

Answer

Dalton's Law

Answer

Charles's Law

Question 4

Henry's Law, as it applies to scuba diving, describes which phenomenon?

Accepted Answer

More gas dissolves into blood as pressure increases

Answer

Gas volume shrinks as temperature drops

Answer

Partial pressures of gas mixtures are additive

Answer

Buoyancy depends on displaced water weight

Question 5

What is nitrogen narcosis most commonly compared to in terms of its effect on a diver?

Accepted Answer

Alcohol intoxication

Answer

Carbon monoxide poisoning

Answer

Severe dehydration

Answer

Hyperventilation

Question 6

At approximately what partial pressure of oxygen (ppO2) does acute CNS oxygen toxicity become a significant risk?

Accepted Answer

1.6 ATA

Answer

0.21 ATA

Answer

0.5 ATA

Answer

2.5 ATA

Question 7

What physiological change occurs in a diver's body that directly causes decompression sickness (DCS)?

Accepted Answer

Dissolved nitrogen forms bubbles in tissues and blood on ascent

Answer

Oxygen is consumed faster than it can be replenished

Answer

Carbon dioxide builds up to toxic levels in the bloodstream

Answer

Ear pressure fails to equalize, damaging inner ear tissue