i. Watch Boyle’s law experiment. ii. Find applications of Boyle’s law. 

i. Students can refer to ‘Boyle’s law experiment’ on YouTube channel of ‘Socratica’.

ii. a. Syringes : 

When the plunger of a syringe is pulled back out, it causes the volume of the gas inside it to increase due to the reduction of pressure. This creates a vacuum in the syringe, which is constantly trying to adjust the pressure back to normal. 

However,

Since the only substance available, such as the blood or medication, is on the other side of the needle, this liquid is sucked into the vacuum, increasing the pressure and decreasing the volume of the gas. 

When we push the plunger back down, the pressure again increases, lowering the volume inside the syringe, and pushing the fluid out.

b. Respiration : 

Boyle’s law is essential for the human breathing process. 

When person breathes in, his/her lung volume increases and the pressure within decreases. 

Since air always moves from areas of high pressure to areas of low pressure, air is drawn into the lungs. 

The opposite happens when person exhales. Since the lung volume decreases, the pressure within increases, forcing the air out of the lungs.

c. Storage of Gases : 

Many industries store gases under high pressure. This allows the gas to be stored at a low volume, saving plenty of storage space.

[Note : Students are expected to search more on the internet about various other applications of Boyle’s law on their own.]

iii. Importance of Boyle’s law in scuba diving :

a. Boyle’s law affects scuba diving in many ways. 

b. It explains the role of pressure in the aquatic environment. 

c. As divers descend, the water pressure surrounding them increases, causing air in their body and equipment to have a smaller volume. 

As the divers ascend, water pressure decreases, causing their body and equipment to expand to acquire a greater volume. 

d. Furthermore, it is crucial that scuba divers never attempt to hold their breath when immersed in water.

e. According to Boyle’s law, if divers attempt this when they ascend to a body of water of less pressure, then the air that is trapped in their lungs will over-expand and rupture. This is known as Pulmonary Barotrauma. 

Thus,

It is important for scuba divers to exhale as they ascend because the external pressure increases.

f. Also, if a diver returns to the surface too quickly, dissolved gases in the blood expand and form bubbles, which can get stuck in capillaries and organs (causing the ‘bends’). 

[Note : Students are expected to collect additional information their own.]