Lung volumes: explain the model comparison
This page has four parts, in the order you use them. Part 1 is what you need to know. Part 2 says what to do, in plain English. Part 3 shows the work done once on a case that is not yours. Part 4 is your own work and where to turn it in.
Open your materials, follow the steps, then turn in your work.
Use the corrected calculation table to explain a difference between two models and one limit of the comparison.
Part 1 of 4 · Background and definitions▸
💡 Big idea: A comparison needs the values, the rule connecting them and a clear limit.
- • (TV): Air moved during one quiet breath.
- • Inspiratory reserve volume (IRV): Extra air inhaled after a usual inhale.
- • Expiratory reserve volume (ERV): Extra air exhaled after a usual exhale.
- • Residual volume (RV): Air remaining after a full exhale. Simple does not measure it.
- • (VC): Air that can move between a full inhale and a full exhale: TV + IRV + ERV.
- • Total lung capacity (TLC): All air after a full inhale, including RV: VC + RV.
counts movable air. Total lung capacity also includes the air that remains.
A comparison needs the values, the rule connecting them and a clear limit.
Driving question: Which model has the larger , and what does that comparison mean?
What you already know: A total combines specified parts. All six symbols are defined in Reference R below.
New idea: A comparison needs the values, the rule connecting them and a clear limit.
Visual or model: F1 is a formula model, not a breathing trace or anatomical bins. What to notice: VC adds three moved-air volumes. TLC adds RV to VC.
- Identify the air moved by one quiet breath (TV) and the extra inhale and exhale amounts (IRV and ERV).
- Add TV, IRV and ERV to find VC.
- Add RV to VC to find TLC. In this practice, RV is supplied as an assumption.
- Keep liters on every result. Compare only the quantities supported by the records.
Real biomedical example: Simple records moved air. A separate method is needed to measure the air that remains after a full exhale. Source: The Process of Breathing.
What the evidence supports: The records support calculated model capacities and a between-model comparison.
What it cannot prove: Compare the supplied models' lung volumes. These records cannot establish health, fitness, disease or air-sac structure.
- • (TV): Air moved during one quiet breath.
- • Inspiratory reserve volume (IRV): Extra air inhaled after a usual inhale.
- • Expiratory reserve volume (ERV): Extra air exhaled after a usual exhale.
- • Residual volume (RV): Air remaining after a full exhale. Simple does not measure it.
- • (VC): Air that can move between a full inhale and a full exhale: TV + IRV + ERV.
- • Total lung capacity (TLC): All air after a full inhale, including RV: VC + RV.
Use it now: Use Model M. If only IRV rises by 0.2 L, predict how VC changes and explain why. This is thinking practice for the one turn-in named under Turn in, not a second submission.
Go further, optional: OpenStax and the official PLTW materials add context. The packet contains every required input for this practice.
Simulated: TV 0.6 L; IRV 2.4 L; ERV 0.9 L; assumed RV 1.2 L.
Limit: Original classroom model, not student measurements or a .
Simulated: TV 0.7 L; IRV 2.6 L; ERV 1.0 L; assumed RV 1.2 L.
Limit: Separate from Model A, not a second test on one person.
No time record, medical history, , oxygen data or air-sac image is supplied.
Limit: Compare the supplied models' lung volumes. These records cannot establish health, fitness, disease or air-sac structure.
Today's decision · Simulated classroom evidence scenario
Your role: student checking a calculation record
Decision: Decide what the two VC totals support. Use Reference R, E1, E2 and the limits in E3.
- • Compare the corrected VC totals and explain the difference using their component values.
- • Use the larger VC to identify the healthier model, without any other information.
- • Wait for a time record before deciding whether one model changed between tests.
Response: One paragraph using the five packet prompts, with the corrected table. The choice discussion is preparation, not another submission. Use it inside the one turn-in named under Turn in; it is not a separate submission.
Claim ceiling: Compare the supplied models' lung volumes. These records cannot establish health, fitness, disease or air-sac structure.
Students often think the larger volume proves that a person is healthier. The trap: E1 and E2 are classroom models. E3 supplies no health evidence or comparison range
- CER:
- Claim, Evidence, Reasoning: make a claim, back it with evidence, explain your reasoning.
- SOP:
- Standard Operating Procedure, the exact steps to follow (especially in a lab).
- Tracker:
- Your PLTW progress log where you record completed evidence.
- myPLTW:
- The PLTW course site where you do the online activities. Find it in Clever with your Microsoft sign-in, right next to Schoology.
Part 2 of 4 · Directions in plain English▸
2.1 Open your materials
2.2 Start the work
Recheck the E1 and E2 vital-capacity calculations with Reference R. Keep any correction visible.
Show all 4 required steps
- Recheck the E1 and E2 vital-capacity calculations with Reference R. Keep any correction visible.
- Find the larger VC and subtract the smaller VC. Record the difference in liters.
- Use the packet's five prompts to write one paragraph: claim, both values and the difference, reasoning from Reference R, meaning and a limit from E3.
- Submit the paragraph and corrected table as one readable PDF in Wk15 CER: Spirometry data CER analysis. Choose your own section below and follow the posted due date. If upload fails, keep the same PDF and tell Mr. Mendoza. Do not mark it submitted until the upload works.
Lost your place? Open Model M in the packet. Follow one addition, then use the same rule for E1. Keep the units visible.
- 0-15 minCheck yesterday's table and make corrections visible
- 15-30 minCalculate the difference between models
- 30-50 minDraft one paragraph using the five prompts
- 50-65 minCheck the reasoning and evidence limit
- 65-80 minRevise, submit and explain assumed versus measured values
- • We will calculate from two supplied classroom models, then explain the comparison.
- • The packet supplies every value and rule. You need no equipment or personal measurements.
- • Keep your own calculation record, even if you compare methods with a partner.
- • The supplied E1 and E2 records are the required classwork for April 27 and 28. Use the packet to calculate the totals, then explain the comparison.
- • Spirometer work is optional enrichment. Do it only if Mr. Mendoza provides the equipment, directions and supervision. It is not needed for either dated submission.
- • The records are invented classroom models, not your measurements. Keep every supplied value and label RV as assumed. Do not add personal health information.
- • On April 27, submit the prediction, four calculation rows and two checks. On April 28, submit your comparison paragraph with the corrected table. Use the named Schoology assignment for each date and its posted deadline.
- • The optional spirometer activity uses its own teacher-provided records and directions. Keep those separate from E1 and E2. Do not replace the packet values with measurements or another activity's reference values.
- • If an optional activity is offered, wait for your teacher to check the equipment and explain participation. You can complete both required lessons with the supplied records alone.
- • Separate PLTW case materials are needed only if your teacher assigns another task. The supplied models do not identify a disease or answer questions about an actual person.
- • Use Reference R, F1 and E3 to check your reasoning. A larger calculated volume does not establish better health, fitness or air-sac structure.
- • If you missed April 27, reopen Model M and ask Mr. Mendoza to help you plan the calculation catch-up before writing the comparison. Do not claim you finished earlier work that you have not done.
- • Save your own work. If Schoology will not open or an upload fails, keep the file and tell Mr. Mendoza. Check the uploaded preview before marking the assignment submitted.
PLTW connection and today's work
Original John Hay data practice supporting PLTW HBS Activity 3.1.6, A Little TLC. The packet links to your section's official materials in Schoology.
Today's stopping point: Use the supplied simulated records only. These records are the assigned paper-data route. They do not document physical testing or automatic online completion.
PLTW activity titles identify the course connection. If your account will not open, use the posted materials for today and tell Mr. Mendoza. Do not mark an online activity complete unless you completed it.
Course connection
- Activity 3.1.6 A Little TLC
Use the turn-in directions in Part 4 of this page. Do not create a second submission unless your teacher asks for one.
Show another explanation or a smaller first step
Need help? Choose a starting point
Part 3 of 4 · Worked example▸
This is a parallel case, not your own. Read it for the order of the work, then do your own in Part 4.
Model N and Model P are a separate invented comparison, not E1 or E2. N has TV 0.5 L, IRV 1.8 L and ERV 0.7 L; VC = 0.5 + 1.8 + 0.7 = 3.0 L. P has TV 0.5 L, IRV 2.1 L and ERV 1.0 L; VC = 0.5 + 2.1 + 1.0 = 3.6 L. Difference = 3.6 - 3.0 = 0.6 L. No RV or TLC value is supplied for N or P. Worked paragraph: Model P has the larger calculated VC. Its 3.6 L exceeds Model N’s 3.0 L by 0.6 L. The VC rule adds TV, IRV and ERV; TV is equal, while P’s IRV and ERV each add 0.3 L more. Thus P’s model represents 0.6 L more movable air between a full inhale and full exhale. This invented comparison supplies no health, fitness, disease or air-sac evidence. Apply this paragraph structure to E1 and E2 using your corrected table, not the N/P answers.
This model shows the level of evidence and organization needed to complete: Original paragraph structure only; use corrected E1 and E2 for the assigned comparison.
- Recheck the E1 and E2 vital-capacity calculations with Reference R. Keep any correction visible.
- Find the larger VC and subtract the smaller VC. Record the difference in liters.
- Use the packet's five prompts to write one paragraph: claim, both values and the difference, reasoning from Reference R, meaning and a limit from E3.
- Submit the paragraph and corrected table as one readable PDF in Wk15 CER: Spirometry data CER analysis. Choose your own section below and follow the posted due date. If upload fails, keep the same PDF and tell Mr. Mendoza. Do not mark it submitted until the upload works.
E1 and E2 are the required records for this assignment. Model M or N/P shows the method. No personal measurement is needed. Save your file and tell Mr. Mendoza if upload fails.
Also due today: No separate model submission. Save your E1/E2 paragraph and corrected table together. If upload fails, keep the PDF and tell Mr. Mendoza. Do not mark it submitted until the upload works.
Part 4 of 4 · Your work▸
Check your work before submitting
- I use corrected VC values and show the difference in liters.
- I explain how the three component values produce the different totals.
- I compare models without claiming a health result.
- I submit one paragraph and the corrected table together. If upload fails, keep the same PDF and tell Mr. Mendoza. Do not mark it submitted until the upload works.
4.1 Turn in your work
DueCheck the Schoology assignment for this day- Hand in
- Lung-volume comparison paragraph with the corrected calculation table
How to submit and name your file
Submit one PDF with your comparison paragraph and corrected table in Wk15 CER: Spirometry data CER analysis. Choose your own section. Follow its posted due date and check the uploaded preview. If upload fails, keep the same PDF and tell Mr. Mendoza. Do not mark it submitted until the upload works.
In Schoology, open your course and the assignment for this lesson. Attach your file, select Submit, and check that it appears in the submission.
PDF upload helpYou get two school days for every day you were absent, so this deadline moves with you.
Choose your Schoology section. Open only one assignment.
Check the section number beside Human Anatomy and Physiology in Schoology.
Assignment: Wk15 CER: Spirometry data CER analysis
Link will not open? Open Schoology, choose your section, and find the assignment title above.
- CompleteEvery required part of the artifact is present, nothing left blank.
- AccurateThe science and the data are correct and match the evidence.
- Scientific reasoningYou explain your claim with evidence and reasoning (CER), not just an answer.
- Professional communicationClear, organized, labeled, and written the way a clinician or scientist would.
- SubmittedSubmit one PDF with your comparison paragraph and corrected table in Wk15 CER: Spirometry data CER analysis. Choose your own section. Follow its posted due date and check the uploaded preview. If upload fails, keep the same PDF and tell Mr. Mendoza. Do not mark it submitted until the upload works.
How this lesson connects
Keep using what you learned last class: Vital capacity counts movable air. Total lung capacity also includes the air that remains. Today: A comparison needs the values, the rule connecting them and a clear limit.
Unit 3 guide: what to keep and use nextPractice: try a question, then check your answer▸
Claim ceiling for this check: Compare the supplied models' lung volumes. These records cannot establish health, fitness, disease or air-sac structure.
In a separate model, RV rises by 0.2 L while TV, IRV and ERV stay fixed. Which capacity changes?
Write an answer and pick a confidence to unlock the key.
Fast retrieval with instant answers, not the commit-then-reveal check above. Try each from memory first: write what you remember about the earlier units, then check yourself here.
Missed class or ready for more?▸
What today's skills lead to. These are real health-science careers this course builds toward. Tap one to see, on the US Department of Labor's O*NET site, what the job actually involves, what it pays, and how fast it is growing.
Use the same packet and steps. Paper is fine: scan your completed record into one readable PDF. Keep the work and tell me if upload fails.
Lung-volume packet and worked modelSubmit one PDF with your comparison paragraph and corrected table in Wk15 CER: Spirometry data CER analysis. Choose your own section. Follow its posted due date and check the uploaded preview. If upload fails, keep the same PDF and tell Mr. Mendoza. Do not mark it submitted until the upload works.
Class still runs. Complete today's work as this page describes (it is self-guided). Need the concept taught without a teacher? Use this authoritative explainer:
Lung-volume rules, records and step-by-step helpThe optional extra-credit track is open. Complete reserved-unit work from home, including virtual labs, for extra credit. Each item shows its correct submission route.
Open the extra-credit trackSources: slides, readings, and resources▸
Use the deck and optional guided notes to check the same packet work you submit. No separate exit ticket is due.
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