Given below are two statements:
Statement I: In preference to a nitrogen-oxygen mixture (present in air), a helium-oxygen mixture is used by divers in deep sea because helium is less soluble in blood than nitrogen at high pressure under the sea.
Statement II: In preference to a nitrogen-oxygen mixture (present in air), a helium-oxygen mixture is used by divers in deep sea because it can readily mix with oxygen than nitrogen.
In the light of the above statements, choose the correct answer from the options given below:

Correct option is C

The Correct answer is(c) Statement I is true but Statement II is false.
Explanation:
• Statement I is true. Helium-oxygen mixture (known as heliox) is used by deep-sea divers because helium is much less soluble in blood than nitrogen. This prevents nitrogen narcosis and decompression sickness, which occur when nitrogen dissolves in the blood at high pressure.
• Statement II is false. The choice of helium is not because it mixes more readily with oxygen. Helium is used due to its low solubility and low density, not because of better mixing ability.
Information Booster:
• At great depths, high pressure causes gases to dissolve more in blood. Nitrogen dissolves significantly, leading to dangerous conditions like nitrogen narcosis.
• Helium has very low solubility in blood, making it safer for breathing under high pressure.
• Helium also reduces breathing resistance because it is less dense than nitrogen, making it easier to inhale under pressure.
Additional Knowledge:
Nitrogen (related to Statement I)
• Nitrogen is more soluble in blood compared to helium.
• At high pressure, it causes narcosis, dizziness, and impaired judgment.
Helium (related to Statement II)
• Helium is chemically inert and very light.
• It does not react or mix in a special way with oxygen; it is chosen mainly for low solubility and low density.
• Heliox mixtures help divers avoid decompression sickness and improve breathing efficiency.