What happens to the gas bubbles in a diver's body as they ascend to the surface?

As a diver ascends to the surface, the pressure surrounding them decreases. This change in pressure directly affects the gas bubbles in the diver's body. According to Boyle's Law, which states that the volume of a gas is inversely proportional to its pressure, when pressure decreases, the volume of gas increases. Therefore, as the diver ascends and the outside pressure diminishes, any gas bubbles that may have formed in their body will start to expand.

This expansion can potentially lead to discomfort or health issues such as decompression sickness if the ascent is too rapid, as the expanding bubbles can cause damage to tissues and blood vessels. Therefore, it is crucial for divers to ascend slowly and perform safety stops to allow their bodies to eliminate excess nitrogen and help prevent the formation of large bubbles.