Smaller children breathe much ______________ than adults.

Smaller children breathe much faster than adults due to several physiological factors. Their metabolic rate is typically higher than that of adults, requiring more oxygen and resulting in a quicker breathing rate to meet their body's demands. Additionally, their lung capacity is smaller, which means they need to take more breaths in a given period to exchange the same amount of air. The normal respiratory rate for a child can range from around 20 to 30 breaths per minute or even higher, whereas adults generally have a normal rate of 12 to 20 breaths per minute. This difference is significant in understanding respiratory health and when assessing the vital signs of both children and adults.