1. How does your vital capacity compare to others in the class? Describe some reasons why you think your vital capacity is what it is. Why are the highest and lowest vital capacities the way they are?

My Vital capacity is a bit lower than that of everyone around me. Corey and I were away when this exercise was done, so in comparison to my sister I have a lower vital capacity. My vital capacity is different than others because I have asthma and therefore do not have lungs which work to their full potential and this makes it difficult to breath properly. Another factor is that I am a girl, and naturally have smaller lungs than that of the men. The highest capacities would probably be the people with the biggest and healthiest and lungs. Those conditioned through sports or otherwise would also have high capacities, and typically men would as well. Those with lower capacities could either be unhealthy, have smaller lungs, or a condition such as asthma.

2. How much air is in a usual breath? Why are our breaths the volume that they are?

Our breaths are the volume that they are because of a variety of things. one being our genes; another our gender.  Men typically will breathe in larger volumes of air because they have larger lungs. so the size of ones lungs attribute to the volume of breaths one takes. Again, health plays a major factor in volume. A usual breath is 500ml.

How is the mechanism of exhaling forcefully different than a usual exhalation? Why would practice at this via exercise/instrument playing/singing make you better at it?

Exhaling forcefully is different than a usual exhalation because regular exhalation is involuntary. When breathing forcefuly, you are expelling air as fast and as hard as you can.You are doing this consciously and his is the difference. Practicing an instrument or singing can increase your vital capacities because you are exercising your lungs and therefore increasing their strength over time. The lungs will need more air and like anything over time, you will become better and will be able to hold your breath longer.