What does Dalton's Law state?

Dalton's Law focuses on the behavior of mixed gases. It states that the total pressure exerted by a mixture of gases in a container is equal to the sum of the individual pressures (partial pressures) that each gas would exert if it occupied the entire volume alone at the same temperature. This principle is crucial in understanding how gases interact in various environments, including underwater scenarios for divers.

In practical terms, when divers breathe compressed air, they are inhaling a mixture of gases, primarily nitrogen and oxygen. Dalton's Law helps divers understand how each gas contributes to the total pressure and how this affects their body as well as the resulting physiological effects, such as the risk of nitrogen narcosis or decompression sickness during ascent.

The other concepts presented do not accurately describe Dalton's Law: the first option does not refer to gas behavior relevant to pressure mixtures, the third suggests a relationship that pertains more to the ideal gas laws rather than Dalton's Law, and the fourth option relates to the relationship between temperature and pressure for a single gas under certain conditions but does not address the principle of gas mixtures.