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Chemistry Question 60 – NEET-UG 2023

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Given below are two statements : one is labelled as Assertion A and the other is labelled as Reason R : Assertion A : Helium is used to dilute oxygen in diving apparatus. Reasons R : Helium has high solubility in O2. In the light of the above statements, choose the correct answer from the options given below :

Understand the properties of gases used in deep-sea diving and why certain gases are preferred over others.

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Ninja Strategy•Factual Recall of Gas Properties

Immediately identify that Helium has low solubility, not high, to quickly evaluate Reason R as false and eliminate options.

Step 1: Evaluate Assertion A✦ Active

Assertion A states that Helium is used to dilute oxygen in diving apparatus. This statement is true. Helium is used in breathing mixtures (like Heliox) for deep-sea divers because it is less soluble in blood than nitrogen, which helps prevent decompression sickness (the bends) and nitrogen narcosis at high pressures.

Step 2: Evaluate Reason R○ Expand

Reason R states that Helium has high solubility in O2. This statement is false. Helium is an inert gas with very low solubility in blood and other body fluids. Its low solubility is precisely the reason it is preferred over nitrogen for deep-sea diving, as it minimizes the amount of gas dissolving in tissues under high pressure.

💡 Teacher's Secret Hint

Remember that low solubility is a desirable property for diving gases to prevent decompression sickness.

Step 3: Formulate Conclusion○ Expand

Based on the evaluation, Assertion A is true, but Reason R is false. Therefore, the correct option is (3).

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