The barium ion is toxic to humans. However, barium sulfate is commonly used as a
ID: 506958 • Letter: T
Question
The barium ion is toxic to humans. However, barium sulfate is commonly used as an image enhancer for gastrointestinal x-rays. What does this imply about the position of the equilibrium? BaSO_4 Ba^2+ SO^2-_4) Hemoglobin (Hb) and oxygen gas form a complex (HbO_2) that carries oxygen throughout the human body. Unfortunately, carbon monoxide also binds to hemoglobin so that an equilibrium is established. Carbon monoxide poisoning occurs when the concentration of HbO_2in the blood is reduced. HbO_2 + CO HbCO + O_2 The first aid for a person suffering from carbon monoxide poisoning is to (1) remove them to an area of fresh air, and (2) administer oxygen. Using the principles of equilibrium, explain how each of these helps to restore the HbO_2 concentration.Explanation / Answer
Due to the conditions of the human body such as temperature and other factors and barium sulphate's low solubility, the equilibrium will shift to the left side. Therefore, the concentration of what's on the right side (the ions) is negligible and does not easily reach a toxic level.
Thus BaSO4 has extremely low solubility in water and doesn't dissolve.
Both the steps used to increase the concentration of HbO2 and removing CO: Increasing the O2 level causes the equilibrium to shift to the left, according to LeChatlier's principle, more HbO2 to form and CO to be released.
Moving the person to fresh air allows the CO to escape. This shifts the equilibrium left and increasing the concentration of HbO2.
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