Question

Which of the following best describes the difficulty in breathing as one climbs to higher altitudes?

(a) Henry’s law

(b) Raoult’s law

(c) Osmotic pressure

(d) Relative lowering of atmospheric pressure

The question was asked in an international level competition.

The query is from Solubility Solutions topic in division Solutions of Chemistry – Class 12

Answer 1

The correct option is (a) Henry’s law

To explain I would say: Henry’s law states that the partial pressure of a gas in vapor phase varies directly with its mole fraction in the solution. At higher altitudes the partial pressure of O2 decreases hence the decrease in its concentration which causes difficulty in breathing.