Answer to Question #129025 in General Chemistry for mike

Question

Acetylsalicylic acid, (HC9H7O4) is a monoprotic acid commonly known as “aspirin”. A typical aspirin tablet, however, contains only a small amount of the acid. In an experiment to determine its composition, an aspirin tablet was crushed and dissolved in water. It took 12.25mL of 0.1466M NaOH to neutralise the solution. (Sounds like a good assessable practical for next year!).

(i). Calculate the number of grains of aspirin in the tablet. (1 grain is a pharmaceutical unit for amount and is equal to 0.0648g).

(ii). Aspirin is sometimes referred to as the wonder drug of the 20th century. Find out why.

Answer 1

i. 0.01225 x 0.1466 x 180 = 0.323253

0.323253/0.0648 = 5.

ii. In recent years, its reputation has been sullied by recognition of potentially serious side effects, especially dangerous bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract or the brain.