Physical Principles of Respiratory Care

Flashcards covering key vocabulary related to the physical principles of respiratory care.

States of Matter

Three primary states: solids, liquids, and gases.

Solid

A state of matter with fixed volume and shape, high degree of internal order, and strong attractive forces between atoms.

States of Matter

Three primary states: solids, liquids, and gases.

Solid

A state of matter with fixed volume and shape, high degree of internal order, and strong attractive forces between atoms.

Liquid

A state of matter with a fixed volume that adapts to the shape of its container; has less mutual attraction compared to solids.

Gas

A state of matter with no fixed volume or shape, exhibiting rapid, random motion and weak attractive forces.

Plasma

The fourth state of matter, consisting of neutral atoms, free electrons, and atomic nuclei, which can react to electromagnetic forces.

Thermodynamics

The science that studies the properties of matter at various temperatures and the kinetics of reactions involving matter and energy.

Heat Transfer

The movement of heat from a hotter object to a cooler one until both reach thermal equilibrium.

Conduction

The main method of heat transfer in solids through direct contact between molecules.

Convection

The transfer of heat in liquids and gases through the mixing of fluid molecules at different temperatures.

Radiation

Heat transfer that occurs without direct contact between substances.

Evaporation

The process where liquid changes into gas, occurring at temperatures below the boiling point.

Condensation

The process where a gas turns back into a liquid.

Temperature

A measure of heat related to the collision of molecules, proportional to the kinetic energy of the gas.

Absolute zero

The theoretical lowest temperature at which all molecular motion ceases.

Relative humidity

The ratio of the actual amount of water vapor present in the air to the maximum amount that can be held at a specific temperature, expressed as a percentage.

Aerosol

A suspension of water in a gas in the form of fine particles.

Graham’s Law

A principle stating that the rate of diffusion of a gas through a liquid is directly proportional to its solubility coefficient and inversely proportional to the square root of its density.

Henry’s Law

The principle stating that the solubility of a gas in a liquid is proportional to the pressure of the gas, provided the temperature remains constant.

Dalton’s Law

States that the total pressure of a gas mixture is equal to the sum of the partial pressures of its individual gases.

Henry’s Law

The principle stating that the solubility of a gas in a liquid is proportional to the pressure of the gas, provided the temperature remains constant.

Boyle’s Law

States that, at constant temperature, the volume and pressure of a gas vary inversely.

Charles’ Law

States that at constant pressure, the volume of a gas is directly proportional to its temperature.

Gay-Lussac’s Law

States that at constant volume, the pressure of a gas is directly proportional to its temperature.

Bernoulli's Principle

A principle stating that as the velocity of a fluid increases through a constriction, the pressure within the fluid decreases.