Your roommate is experiencing heartburn and asks you to purchase her an antacid. Chemically speaking, how do you know that the antacid will help eliminate her pain?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Antacids typically contain compounds such as calcium carbonate, magnesium hydroxide, or aluminum hydroxide. These compounds react with excess stomach acid (H+) to raise the pH in the digestive tract. This increased pH helps neutralize the acid and relieve the discomfort of heartburn. The higher concentration of OH- in the antacid helps to increase the pH level in the stomach, making it less acidic and thus alleviating the pain.

Your Roommate Is Experiencing Heartburn and Asks You to Purchase