We’ve seen that the area under a pV graph is the work done in an ideal-gas process. If the process follows a closed curve, the work is the area inside the curve. The graph as shown the gauge pressure in the lungs versus the volume of gas in the lungs for a person who is taking rapid, deep breaths. During one complete breath, the pressure-versus-volume data trace out the curve shown, in the direction of the arrows. The energy expended in one complete breath is represented by the shaded area inside the curve. If you graph pressure-versus-volume data for normal breathing, the upper and lower lines are much closer together and the volume range is much smaller.
For the graph in the figure, approximately how much energy is required for one complete breath?
A. 5 J B. 15 J
C. 25 J D. 35 J
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