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Which antacid tablet is the most effective in neutralising acid in the…
Which antacid tablet is the most effective in neutralising acid in the stomach?
What is neutralisation?
A substance is considered neutral if it has an equal number of hydrogen (H+) and hydroxyl (OH)- ions. Neutral substances have a pH of around 7, in the middle of the pH scale.
The pH scale measures how acidic or basic a substance is on a scale from 0 to 14
Acidic substances are less than 7 on the pH scale and basic substances greater than 7
What is a neutralisation reaction?
A neutralization reaction is when an acid and a base react to form water and a salt (Chemistry LibreTexts, 2013)
The salt is an ionic compound and the water is formed from excess hydrogen (H+) and hydroxyl (OH-) ions
An antacid neutralizes gastric by absorbing excess hydrogen (H+) ions and forming water as a byproduct.
An example of a neutralisation reaction is between the strong hydrobromic acid (HBr) and the strong potassium hydroxide base (KOH)
The products of the reaction are the ionic compound (salt) potassium bromide and water
HBr + KOH → KBr + H2O
What is an antacid?
Chemical composition
Most antacids are bases, as bases can best neutralise acids due to their high PH
Most antacids contain metal carbonates, metal bicarbonates and metal hydroxides
Most antacids contain minerals such as magnesium and sodium that are helpful for many body processes which is why they can be consumed in their chemical form
Antacids contain a combination of various compounds as well as salts
Some common ingredients in antacids are aluminium/ magnesium hydroxide, calcium/magnesium carbonate and sodium bicarbonate
Definition
A substance used to neutralize and reduce acid in the stomach (Collins, 2023)
Purpose
To counteract gastric acid in the stomach, relieving indigestion and heartburn
Heartburn is the backflow of acidic stomach contents into the eosophagus and can lead to a burning sensation in the upper chest (IFFGD, 2021)
Heartburn is caused by overconsumption of highly acidic, spicy and fatty foods
Acid in the stomach is called gastric acid and its main component is hydrochloric acid (HCl) along with other enzymes such as pepsin and lymase.
This makes gastric acid have a relatively low PH of around 1.5 - 2.0 on the PH scale
Gastric acid is secreted from the stomach glands and has the function of breaking down proteins
Testing efficacy
Experiment 2
Independent variable
Main ingredient of antacid (either magnesium hydroxide, sodium bicarbonate or aluminium hydroxide)
Dependent variable
Amount of sodium hydroxide needed to make the solution turn pink and then colourless from a phenolphthalein indicator
Justification
The titration of sodium hydroxide will slowly make the solution basic and the phenolpthalein indicator will have to turn pink before being colorless. The amount of sodium hydroxide needed to turn the solution colorless after being pink will be measured and compared.
Risks
Sodium hydroxide is highly basic and can cause severe burns as well as damage to the lungs if inhaled
Titration of antacid and acid solution with the titrant sodium hydroxide
Experiment 1
Dependent variable
The PH of the solution which will be measured using a universal indicator strip
Justification
If the PH of the solution after adding the antacid is close to 7, then the antacid has done its job and neutralised the acid
Risks
Hydrochloric acid is highly corrosive
Antacid contains highly basic compounds
Glass equipment could break and cause cuts
Independent variable
Main ingredient of antacid tablet; either magnesium [carbonate/hydroxide/trisilicate]
Placing three different magnesium antacids in HCl and measuring the pH of the solution
Experiment 3
Dependent variable
The time taken for the solution to turn green after the addition of the liquid universal indicator, indicating neutralisation
Independent Variable
The main ingredient of the antacid tablet added to the ice and water mixture
Addition of antacid and acid to water and ice; with the time taken to become neutral measured with liquid universal indicator and timer.
Ice slows does the neutralisation reaction, alllowing time to see what is happening.
Risks
Ice can fall onto the floor and melt, causing a slipping hazard
Liquid universal indicator is an irritant if inhaled and is corrosive if it comes in contact with the eyes, so safety glasses will have to be worn