C-Why+are+Headache+tablets+Buffered

The main component of headache tablet is acetylsalicylic acid. It is a carboxylic acid. The trade name of acetylsalicylic acid is called aspirin. · With the addition of phosphoric acid to catalyze the reaction, the phenol group of salicylic acid reacts with acetic anhydride and will form an acetylsalicylic acid as well as an ester which is acetate. · Salicylic acid is the active ingredient found in willow bark. It reduces fever, pain and inflammation. · Buffered aspirin has a higher pH than other type of aspirin. Buffering agents can be either weak acid or weak base. When buffering agents are added to water, it will form buffer solutions. According to Le Châtelier’s Principle, when the neutralization reactions take place, the equilibrium is disturbed and it will shift to adjust the weak acid and its conjugate base to form a new equilibrium system. [|Robert L. Wolke] .Gale Virtual Reference Library.(2004).Buffer. Retrieved December 13,2010, from < [|CX3418500360&docType=GALE&role=] > [|Marie L. Thompson]. Gale Virtual Reference Library.(2004). Acetylsalicylic Acid. Retrieved December 13, 2010, from  UXL Encyclopedia of Science. (2007). Equilibrium, chemical. Retrieved December 15,2010, from <http://find.galegroup.com/srcx/retrieve.do?subjectParam=Locale%252528en%25252C%25252C%252529%25253AFQE%25253D%252528su%25252CNone%25252C20%252529chemical%252Bequilibrium%252524%257E%2529_2&contentSet=GSRC&sort=Relevance&tabID=T001&sgCurrentPosition=0&subjectAction=VIEW_TOPIC_TREE&prodId=DC&searchId=R4&currentPosition=2&userGroupName=ko_k12hs_d63&resultListType=RESULT_LIST&sgHitCountType=None&qrySerId=Locale%28en%2C%2C%29%3AFQE%3D%28SU%2CNone%2C22%29%22chemical+equilibrium%22%24&inPS=true&searchType=BasicSearchForm&displaySubject=&docId=EJ2644300415&docType=GSRC> Normal reference Joe Jeffers. Ouachita Baptist University. (2002).Synthesizing Aspirin: The Acetylation of Salicylic Acid. Retrieved December 15,2010, from Fred Senese. General Chemistry Online.(2010) What is the buffer system in buffered aspirin. Retrieved December 15,2010, from  Jim Clack.(2002). Buffer solutions. Retrieved December 15,2010, from  Richard Myers.(2003). The basics of chemistry. Green Wood. Retrieved December 15,2010, from[]
 * __ Why are headache tablets buffered?  __ **
 * Headache tablets are buffered : **
 * __ Cause __ **
 * Acetylsalicylic acid is in fat soluble form when it is in stomach acid.
 * Acetylsalicylic acid can diffuse into our cells underneath the stomach lining because the cell membrane is bi-lipid layer.
 * The cell’s pH is around 7 which is neutral and is higher than stomach acid, so it ionizes and becomes water soluble. ( not able to diffuse back into the stomach)
 * Aspirin can prevent blood clotting which will cause stomach to leak and bleed.
 * __ To prevent __ **
 * Keep acetylsalicylic acid in ionic form.
 * Buffering agents is added to the tablet to maintain the pH of the aspirin in the stomach.( buffering agent that is use in antacids, for example, MgO)
 * When aspirin reaches the small intestine, it will start to dissolve and absorbed by the small intestine.
 * __ Concept of buffer __ **
 * A buffer will have an equal concentration of a weak acid and it conjugate base by adding enough base to neutralize half of the weak acid.
 * When H+ or acid is added, the conjugate base will neutralize it and turn it into water.
 * When OH- or base is added, the weak acid will neutralize it and turn it into water.
 * Buffering agent modifies and keeps the pH of the system stable.
 * __ Interesting facts __ **
 * There is gum that will release the aspirin and buffer.
 * Almonds help relieve headache because it contain substance like aspirin. It contains large amounts of salicin, an alcoholic glycoside that have an effect of pain relieve.
 * __ Reference from database __ **