Question:

Given below are two statements: one is labelled as Assertion A and the other is labelled as Reason R
Assertion A: Helium is used to dilute oxygen in diving apparatus.
Reason R: Helium has high solubility in O2.
In the light of the above statements, choose the correct answer from the options given below.

Updated On: Jun 25, 2024
  • Both A and R are true but R is NOT the correct explanation of A.
  • A is true but R is false.

  • A is false but R is true.

  • Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
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The Correct Option is B

Approach Solution - 1

The correct option is (B): A is true but R is false.

Explanation:

Assertion A states that helium is used to dilute oxygen in the diving apparatus. This is true. Helium is often used as a diluent gas in diving mixtures because it has a low density and does not react with other gases. Adding helium to the breathing gas mixture, it helps reduce the density and minimize the risk of nitrogen narcosis, which can occur at greater depths when breathing air with high nitrogen content.

Reason R states that helium has a high solubility in O2. This statement is incorrect. In reality, helium has low solubility in oxygen. Unlike nitrogen, helium does not dissolve significantly in oxygen under normal conditions. This low solubility is one of the reasons why helium is preferred over nitrogen in diving mixtures.

Since Reason R is incorrect, the correct answer would be option (b), where Assertion is correct.

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Approach Solution -2

The correct option is (B): A is true but R is false.

Explanation:

For Assertion - Helium and Oxygen mixture are used in diving apparatus for maintaining the normal air pressure inside the suit making it more comfortable for the divers. Helium is used here to reduce the risk of developing Nitrogen narcosis which can lead to higher Nitrogen concentration in the blood by dissolving and turning out to be fatal. Helium gets less dissolved thus reducing its density and preventing such dangerous scenarios while diving.

For Reason - But the mentioned reason here isn’t right as Helium is very less soluble in oxygen and for that reason only it is used instead of Nitrogen to prevent any narcosis condition during the diving by not causing excessive pressure. 

For that reason the Assertion is true but the Reason is false. So, the option B is correct.

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Approach Solution -3

Reasons why Assertion A “Helium is used to dilute oxygen in diving apparatus.” is correct:

  • A mixture of Oxygen and Helium is used that gives the same partial pressure of O2 as in normal at 1 atm for diving apparatus.
  • Due to greater solubility and high partial pressure, Nitrogen (N2) gets dissolved in blood and form bubbles which is very painful for the divers.
  • Both Nitrogen and Oxygen can induce a situation similar to drunkenness but adding Helium to the mixture reduces this.
  • Therefore, Nitrogen is replaced by Helium as it is much less soluble in biological fluids.

Helium has very low solubility in oxygen. In fact, helium is one of the gases with the lowest solubility in blood and other biological fluids. 

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Concepts Used:

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