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Law of Laplace and surface tension PPT

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Total cards: 23•Content version: v4•Public deck•Updated: 8/1/2026

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#1
Front (Question)

Tension defined

Back (Answer)

the internal force generated by a structure

#2
Front (Question)

Law of laPlace states that for cylindrically shaped structures the formula is what?

Back (Answer)

T=Pr T=wall tension P= pressure of liquid in cylinder r= radius

#3
Front (Question)

what does the law of LaPlace show or mean ( a lose definition)

Back (Answer)

as a structure expands its radius, wall tension increases

#4
Front (Question)

How is this law applied to real life?

Back (Answer)

Aortic aneurysms is more likely to rupture than a normal segment of the aorta b/c the radius is greater = increased wall tension also capillary will withstand a pressure of 100mmHg better than a vein b/c capillary has a tiny radius compared to a vein

#5
Front (Question)

How does the law of LaPlace work with Spheres?

Back (Answer)

The ratio is doubled 2T=Pr or (T= Pr/2)

#6
Front (Question)

how is LaPlaces law applied to real life in spheres

Back (Answer)

the LV, the greater the filling pressure, the greater the tension in the ventricular wall.

#7
Front (Question)

LaPlaces law in the alveoli

Back (Answer)

2T=Pr or P=2T/r

#8
Front (Question)

Laplaces law in the alveoli states that pressure needed to expand an alveolus is diresctly proprtional to__1__ and inversly proportional to __2__

Back (Answer)

1) surface tension 2) radius P=2T/r

#9
Front (Question)

Alveoli are unique spheres b/c why?

Back (Answer)

they have H20 covered membrane and water has surface tension

#10
Front (Question)

Alveoli act like bubbles and bubbles tend to pull toward what? and do what?

Back (Answer)

pull toward a smaller radius and collapse

#11
Front (Question)

the collapse of the alveoli is driven by what?

Back (Answer)

surface tension of H2O van der Wall’s forces

#12
Front (Question)

what is the cumulative effects of cohesive intermolecular forces on the surface of a fluid at a liquid/gas or liquid/liquid interface

Back (Answer)

Surface tension

#13
Front (Question)

In the alveoli surface tension is _____ ____

Back (Answer)

wall tension

#14
Front (Question)

Law of Laplace explains what in the Alveoli

Back (Answer)

what would happen in the alveoli if not for surfactant • smaller alveoli would empty into larger alveoli • smaller alveolar spheres would be more difficult to expand than large alveoli

#15
Front (Question)

surfactant is composed of what?

Back (Answer)

dipalmityl phosphatidylcholine and Phospholipids (lecithin and spingomyelin) secreted by the alveolar (type II) cells

#16
Front (Question)

We all know that small alveoli are not harder to inflate compared to large alveoli. If this was true we wouldn’t have such well matched ventilation and perfusion ratios. thus we know that sufactant lowers __1__. and that small alveoli have more concentrated __2__ vs expanded (larger) alveoli and thus are easier to expand. so __3___ radius ___4___ surface tension by ___5___ surfactant concentrations

Back (Answer)

1) surface tension 2) surfactant 3) decreaseing 4) decreases 5) increasing

#17
Front (Question)

T=Pr example in Normal Alveoli

Back (Answer)

if r decreases, T decreases with P constant • pressure in alveoli doesn’t change • surfactant is the great equalizer • explainds why small alveoli don’t empty into large alveoli in normal lungs

#18
Front (Question)

what cause the alveoli to collapse?

Back (Answer)

the water without it they would stay open like a shopping bag

#19
Front (Question)

With adequate alveolar gas flow normal ventilatory to perfusion ration of _____ should be maintained

Back (Answer)

0.8

#20
Front (Question)

V/Q mismatch occurs with what?

Back (Answer)

inadequate flows

#21
Front (Question)

Alveolar Gas equation relates what to what?

Back (Answer)

PAO2 to FiO2

#22
Front (Question)

Formula for Aveolar Gas Equation

Back (Answer)

PAO2 = Fio2 x (Patm - PH2O) - PaCO2 / RQ PAO2= alveolar oxygen tension FiO2= inspired O2 concentration Patm= 760 mmHg PH20= 47 mmHg @ body temp PCO2= 25-45 mmHg RQ= respiratory quotient (normal 0.8)

#23
Front (Question)

What is the shorcut for estimating PaO2 from FiO2

Back (Answer)

FiO2 < 50% multiply FiO2 by 5 FiO2 > 50% multiply FiO2 by 6 the product is calculated PaO2 ex 0.21 x 5 = 105