Question

2 The normal range for the specific gravity of human urine is listed as 1.003 to 1.030. Do you expect the specific gravity to be elevated or depressed when a person is dehydrated? Give reason for your answer. Manufacturers of carbonated beverages have tanks containing carbon dioxide gas. Carbon dioxide is 1.5 times denser than air. Suppose there is a leak in the carbon dioxide gas tank, the concentration of carbon ioxide in low-lying compartments, especially those below ground level, increases to dangerous levels. Explain why the carbon dioxide level is higher in lower levels than in upper levels. 3

Answer 1

2) Specific gravity is the ratio of the density of a substance to the density of water . Density of water is 1g/ml. Sp gravity of urine is 1.003 to 1.030 means urine is denser than pure water.

As the person is dehydrated , if we take a fixed volume of urine, the amount of water decreases and solid content (urea, organic matter etc..) increases. Thus density of urine further increases and sp .gravity is elevated.

3)As density of CO₂ is higher than air it accumulates in low level and displaces air from there to upper level. Hence the CO₂ level is higher in lower levels