I need to find out one reason why dive tanks have Helium, as well as Oxygen.....
Please Help ME!
2007-03-14 04:00:10 · 5 answers · asked by Jenny C 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Chemistry
I believe that it is because that high concentrations of Oxygen are poisonous, and that high concentrations of Nitrogen gas cause you to become drunk. So Helium gas, which is inert, is used to dilute the mostly O2 and N2 mixture which becomes highly concentrated at the crushing pressures of deep under water diving.
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...The main reason for adding helium to the breathing mix is to reduce the proportions of nitrogen and oxygen, below those of air, to allow the gas mix to be breathed safely on deep dives. A lower proportion of nitrogen is required to reduce nitrogen narcosis and other physiological effects of the gas at depth. Lowering the oxygen content increases the depth and duration of the dive before which oxygen toxicity becomes a limiting factor. Also, the nitrogen in trimix can prevent High Pressure Nervous Syndrome, a problem when breathing heliox at depths below 130 meters (429 feet)....
2007-03-14 04:07:20 · answer #1 · answered by Randy G 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Our atmosphere is about 80% nitrogen and about 19 % Oxygen. Helium may be cheaper to put into a tank than nitrogen.
2007-03-14 12:46:03 · answer #2 · answered by xox_bass_player_xox 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think the element is Nitrogen. I'm not sure if there is any helium in there.
2007-03-14 11:08:09 · answer #3 · answered by Sunday P 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
cause helium is lighter that O2?
2007-03-14 11:07:37 · answer #4 · answered by MECD 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Randy G is absolutely spot on with this.......
2007-03-14 11:35:57 · answer #5 · answered by Doctor Q 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋