During this lab, we measured our lung capacity. The amount of that you move in and out of your lungs while breathing normally is called the tidal volume. The maximum amount of air moved in and out of the lungs is called the vital capacity. During this particular lab we measured our vital capacity and our tidal volume of our lungs with the use of a balloon. We measured the diameter of unforced vs forced breathing into the balloons.

Analysis

1. Why was it so important to measure tidal volume and vital capacity three times and then get an average?

It is important to measure the tidal volume and vital capacity three times to ensure the accuracy of the measurements. When you do the exercise more than once, you can be positive of the results.

2. Compare your data to other members of the class. How can you account for differences?

Many of the differences were made due to a persons sex, their weight and height. As learned in class, a males lungs are larger than females lungs, so their vital capacity will differ from a woman's. The larger a person is also affects their lung size

3. How does your measured vital capacity compare to the vital capacity you estimated using the formula? Which do you think is more accurate and why?

Your results will vary depending on how fast or slow the indivudual breathe. Using the formula will be more accurate because these numbers are not likely to change, no matter how many times you perform the vital capacity, the number won't be wrong. Measuring your own vital capacity, you might be prone to make a mistake.

4. How might an athletes vital capacity compare to a non athlete? Explain your reasoning.

A person who is physically in shape will have a higher vital capacity than one who is not. Their breathe is meant to last them longer periods of time and they are forced breathing while performing these activities. Athletes usually have bigger body sizes also so their lungs will be bigger in size.

Application

1. What happened to the persons vital capacity over the course of the training period?

The persons vital capacity increased

2. What possibly caused this change?

If a person were to keep physically fit and train every day, their vital capacity increases because there is more oxygen going into the lungs.

3. How might vital capacity be important to a musician?

You have to take very large breathes of airs, essentially they are using all their vital capacity to blow into the instrument.