When air is pressurized, the oxygen content
- increases.
- remains constant.
- decreases.
Explanation
Compressing the air raises its density, so the partial pressure of oxygen in a given volume increases even though its percentage by composition is unchanged. This higher oxygen partial pressure is what makes a pressurised cabin breathable at altitude where ambient air is too thin.
chesters1234 asking:
why?
Community Comments (7)
D
dimky Posts: 514 16.10.2013 / 21:19
Because density increases. Increased density -> more molecules in same volume.
C
chesters1234 Posts: 3 17.10.2013 / 15:32
so wouldnt the desity of nitrogen etc increase too? so the proportion would still be the same given a set volume
C
chesters1234 Posts: 3 17.10.2013 / 15:33
you cant produce oxygen by pressurizing air can you!? so surely it will remain the same
C
chesters1234 Posts: 3 17.10.2013 / 15:35
The composition of air stays the same when pressurised. 78% 21% 1% other.
D
dimky Posts: 514 17.10.2013 / 19:50
You right, partial quantity is the same, but amount of molecules increases. Just imagine 2 bottles filled with air under pressure.
First bottle is charged to 1000 psi, but second is charged to 2000 psi. Using what bottle breathing endurance will be greater?
First bottle is charged to 1000 psi, but second is charged to 2000 psi. Using what bottle breathing endurance will be greater?
S
squareroot Posts: 8 17.05.2016 / 17:13
oxygen ratio the same but oxygen content inceases
J
JD2016 Posts: 54 20.10.2017 / 00:14
Actually Chesters1234 you can produce oxygen by pressurising air. It's part of the Liquefaction process used to produce liquid oxygen. Air is compressed (pressurised) to 60Bar and cooled before being allowed to expand which causes it to turn to liquid air before being fractioanted into liquid oxygen and liquid nitrogen.
:)
:)
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