Question

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what happens to air pressure in the lungs during inhalation?
inhalation has no effect on air pressure in the lungs.
the volume of the chest cavity stays the same during inhalation, which has no effect on the air pressure in the lungs.
the volume of the chest cavity decreases, which increases the air pressure in the lungs.
the air pressure in the lungs remains the same during inhalation.
the volume of the chest cavity increases, which decreases the air pressure in the lungs.

Explanation:

During inhalation, the diaphragm contracts and moves downward, and the rib - cage muscles contract causing the rib - cage to expand. This increases the volume of the chest cavity. According to Boyle's law (\(P_1V_1 = P_2V_2\), when temperature is constant), if the volume (\(V\)) of a gas (air in the lungs) increases, the pressure (\(P\)) decreases.

Answer:

The volume of the chest cavity increases, which decreases the air pressure in the lungs.