Question 15:State Henry’s law and explain why are the tanks used by scuba divers filled with air diluted with helium (11.7% helium, 56.2% nitrogen and 32.1% oxygen)?

The correct answer is – Henry’s law states that the amount of gas that dissolves in a liquid is proportional to the partial pressure of that gas above the liquid. Scuba divers use tanks filled with air diluted with helium because at deeper depths, the increased pressure causes the gases in the air to dissolve more readily into the bloodstream, which can lead to the dangerous condition of decompression sickness, also known as “the bends.” Helium has a lower solubility in the bloodstream than nitrogen, which reduces the risk of decompression sickness. The specific mixture of 11.7% helium, 56.2% nitrogen, and 32.1% oxygen is a common blend used for recreational diving because it provides an appropriate balance of oxygen and nitrogen for breathing while minimizing the risk of decompression sickness.