Which of the Following Describes Boyle's Law

Question

Which of the following describes Boyle's law?
A) An increase in thoracic volume causes an increase in intrapulmonic pressure.
B) There is no relationship between intrapulmonic pressure and thoracic volume.
C) An increase in thoracic volume decreases intrapulmonic pressure.
D) An increase in thoracic volume forces air out of the lungs.

Accepted Answer

Boyle's law states that there is an inverse relationship between the pressure and volume of a gas. When the volume of a container (such as the thoracic cavity) increases, the pressure of the gas (such as the air in the lungs) inside the container decreases. Therefore, an increase in thoracic volume would decrease intrapulmonic pressure according to Boyle's law.