Dalton's Law

The Dalton’s Law of partial pressures states that for a mixture of gases in a container, the total pressure is equal to the sum of the pressures of each gas. In Physics and Chemistry, there are four famous gas laws and the Dalton’s Law is one of those. It is also called Dalton’s Law of Partial Pressures formulated in the year 1801 by John Dalton and is related to the ideal gas laws.

The Dalton’s Law and scuba diving are associated and can be explained by the Dalton’s Law of Partial Pressure. According to the law, when a container is filled with gaseous mixture, its total pressure is equal to the sum of the partial pressures that each of the gas exerts in the container. It is important for the divers to understand the Dalton’s Law; they appreciate the contribution of John Dalton that makes diving possible. As according to the law, the gas tank that a scuba diver use can contain not just one gas but a mixture of gases that helps make the dive and staying underwater for a longer period of time possible. Everyone knows that Scuba Divers need breathing gases underwater as the air cannot reach underwater for the divers to breathe. The mixture of these breathing gases has many advantages and one big advantage is that it prevents the occurrence of decompression sickness.

Little About John Dalton

John Dalton was an English Chemist and Physicist. He was born in Eaglesfield, near Cockermouth in Cumbria.

When we talk with reference to diving and if we relate the Dalton’s Law with diving, then the gas that a diver breathes must be maintained at a partial pressure of 0.20 atm pressure of oxygen. Too much of oxygen can be poisonous to the diver. On the other hand, less oxygen can lead to suffocation. It is important that the total pressure must be equal to the external pressure to avoid collapsing of the lungs. In order to equalize the pressure in the diver’s lung with the external pressure by adding helium, a special valve is used. This valve has another purpose too i.e. to maintain the oxygen levels by using Dalton’s Law.

Though Scuba Diving is a recreational activity that not only gives you fun and adventure but also teaches you the scientific laws and facts and Dalton’s law is one of the fact. These gas laws are the part of the lessons of the certification program of scuba diving. So, if you are planning to join a diving training session at any diving training institute, then get ready to learn a lot. You will learn everything whether it’s about the names of the aquatic creatures, the diving techniques, diving accessories and equipments or the logics and reason behind the scuba diving activity. So, have fun and also learn about scuba diving. The enjoyment is not very far from you, just a few dives.