Which law describes the mechanism for the lungs to take in air?

Boyle's law describes the relationship between the pressure and volume of a gas at constant temperature. This law states that the pressure of a gas is inversely proportional to its volume when temperature is kept constant. In the context of the lungs taking in air, when the diaphragm contracts, it increases the volume of the thoracic cavity. According to Boyle's law, this increase in volume leads to a decrease in pressure within the lungs compared to the atmospheric pressure outside the body. As a result, air flows into the lungs from the higher-pressure area (the atmosphere) to the lower-pressure area (the lungs), allowing for inhalation.

Understanding Boyle's law is fundamental to grasping how the mechanics of breathing work, as it directly relates to the changes in pressure and volume in the thoracic cavity, facilitating airflow during inhalation.