un-ionized aspirn molecules can readily penetrate the stomach lining into a region of less adicity. This is where the stomach irritation associated with aspirn occurs. Use Le Chatelier's principle to explain why irritation occurs in this area.
Could someone explain the relevance this question has to Le Chatelier's principle? I'm not understanding the relationship between the two.
IT is a bit of a stretch to use Le Chatelier's principle, but...
If the area of the somach lining is less acid, then more of the aspirin will ionize to try to restablish the acid pH.
Thanks :D
Le Chatelier's principle is a fundamental principle in chemistry that describes how a system at equilibrium responds to changes in external conditions. It states that if a change is made to a system at equilibrium, the system will adjust itself to counteract that change in order to restore equilibrium.
In the case of the question about un-ionized aspirin molecules penetrating the stomach lining, Le Chatelier's principle can help us understand why irritation occurs in this specific region.
When aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) is ingested, it can partially ionize in the acidic environment of the stomach. The ionized form of aspirin, known as the salicylate ion, is more polar and therefore less able to penetrate the stomach lining. On the other hand, the un-ionized form of aspirin is more lipophilic (soluble in lipids) and can easily cross the stomach lining into the less acidic (more neutral) region.
Now, let's apply Le Chatelier's principle to this situation. The stomach lining contains various enzymes, receptors, and cells that are adapted to function optimally in an acidic environment. When un-ionized aspirin molecules penetrate the stomach lining and reach this less acidic region, they disturb the equilibrium of the stomach lining environment. This change in pH can disrupt the functioning of enzymes and receptors, leading to irritation.
According to Le Chatelier's principle, the system (the stomach lining environment) will respond to this change by attempting to restore equilibrium. In this case, this would mean that the stomach lining will try to counteract the presence of un-ionized aspirin molecules by adjusting its pH back to its normal acidic level. This adjustment process, along with the interaction of aspirin with specific enzymes and receptors, can lead to irritation and discomfort in that area of the stomach lining.
Therefore, the relevance of this question to Le Chatelier's principle lies in understanding how the system (stomach lining environment) responds to the presence of un-ionized aspirin molecules, and how this response can lead to irritation based on the principles of equilibrium and restoration of balance.