The Best Liquid Antacid That Neutralizes Acid
By: Juveen Thangavel,
Arwinder,
Sajd And
Suhani
Date: Thursday, November, 1 2018
Introduction: An acid is a chemical substance that neutralizes alkalis, dissolves some metals, and turns litmus red; typically, a corrosive or sour-tasting liquid of this kind. One important component of gastric juice is pepsin. Pepsin is the chief digestive enzyme in the stomach that breaks down proteins. The gastric juices in our stomach contains hydrochloric acid (HCl), which normally has a pH of around 2. For an example, heartburns are one type acid indigestion that causes a burning sensation that one experiences during the regurgitation of gastric juices.
Purpose: The purpose of this lab is to compare the different brands of liquid antacids (Phillips Milk of Magnesia, Life Brand Milk of Magnesia and Divole) to determine which is the most effective at neutralizing acid and record the observations.
Background Research
Phillips Milk of Magnesia is a antacid and a laxative. The antacid portion gives fast relief of heartburns, upset stomach and acid indigestion. The laxative portion gives gentle effective relief of occasional constipation. The non-medical ingredients it contains is sodium hydrochlorite solution and water. Each mL of Phillips Milk of Magnesia Contains 80 mg of magnesium hydroxide. Phillips Milk of Magnesia should not be used when having abdominal pain , nausea, have a fever or are vomiting. This antacid should not be used within two hours of taking another medicine because the effectiveness of the other medicine could be changed.
If this antacid is overused it may cause dependence for bowel function. Rectal bleeding or not being able to have a bowel movement after use may signal a major condition. For doses for adults aged people are 2-4 teaspoonfuls (5-15 mL) with a little water maximum of 4 times a day or if told by the doctor. The laxative portion for age 12 and over need to take 2-4 tablespoonfuls (30-60 mL). CHildren aged from 6-11 years old need 1-2 tablespoonfuls (15-30 mL). Age 2-5 need 1-3 teaspoonfuls (5-15). If under two years old ask a doctor to know doses for children under two (Kaloshi, 2018).
The human stomach contains gastric juice which includes hydrochloric acid, gastric juice is usually around pH 2. Another name for heartburn is acid indigestion , it causes a burning sensation which is felt when someone has regurgitation of gastric juice. Regurgitation of gastric juice is when gastric juice coming from the stomach regurgitates up the asparagus. This affects five million people every week in Canada
The ingredients in phillips milk of magnesia are flavor, mineral oil, purified water,saccharin sodium, and sodium hypochlorite. For every 15 mL of phillips milk of magnesia contains 500mg of magnesium.
Life Brand Milk of Magnesia is a antacid and a laxative. The Life Brand Milk of Magnesia is used for for relief of a upset stomach and occasional constipation. The life brand milk of magnesia is sucrose free. Each mL of life brand milk of magnesia contains 80 mg of magnesium Hydroxide which is a medical ingredient. The non-medical ingredients it contains is Potassium sorbate and purified water. The dosage for consumption for the antacid is one to four teaspoonfuls (5-20 mL) with little water after each meal for adults.
Diovol Plus AF contains calcium carbonate, magnesium hydroxide,simethicone. Non-medicinal ingredients it contains are alcohol, ammonium glycyrrhizinate, benzyl alcohol, calcium disodium, EDTA, cetylpyridinium chloride, flavour glycerin,guar gum, purified water, saccharin sodium sodium cyclamate, sorbitol, and xylitol.
Hypothesis: If the amount of magnesium hydroxide an antacid contains affects the effectiveness of an antacid, then Phillips Milk of Magnesia will be the most effective, containing the highest quantity of magnesium hydroxide.
Materials:
Safety goggles
2, 100 mL beakers
Stirring rods
Eye droppers (Pipettes)
Antacids (Phillips Milk of Magnesia, Life Brand Milk of Magnesia and Divole)
0.2 M Hydrochloric acid (HCl)
Phenolphthalein
Universal pH paper
Procedure:
An antacid brand beaker was obtained from the front counter. The name of the brand was written down on the chart provided.
5 drops of antacid liquid was transferred into a small (100mL) beaker.
PH paper was used to take an initial measurement of antacid solution. Observation values were recorded in a chart.
One drop of phenolphthalein was added to mixture and stirred using a stirring rod.
Medicine dropper was used to add drops of hydrochloric acid (HCl) to antacid mixture. Diligently counts was required. 10 drops were added and stirred, colour was noted again (final observation was waited as it will take time for the chemical to react).
Results were recorded.
STOP test when antacid mixture is fully neutralized. Indicator has changed permanently to clear, indicates mixture is neutral.
Steps 1 through 7 were repeated with remaining antacid brands.
Antacid Brand
Number of Drops of Antacid
Initial pH Paper Colour and pH Reading
Number of Drops of HCl Acid added to Change Indicator Colour to Clear
Final pH Paper Colour and pH Reading
Life Brand
5
10, Dark green
80 drops
7, Light green
Diovol
5
8, green
160 drops
7, light green
Phillips
5
9, Dark green
40 drops
7, Green
Discussion questions
1.
Based on the results the most effective antacid is diovol. Diovol is the most effective because of the active ingredients ex. Magnesium Carbonate – 60 MG. Dimethicone – 25 MG.Magnesium Hydroxide – Milk Of Magnesia – 100 MG. Aluminium Hydroxide – 240 MG.
2.
The first human error made during the experiment was Ms. kaloshi was adding three drops of hydrochloric acid instead of two. One way to improve the error is by adding one drop at a time to see if more drops are needed to neutralize the substance. One experimental error that was made was for acid brand Life, is going up on increments of 5 is better than increments of 10. Near the end of the experiment 2 extra drops were added to the process of neutralizing the substance. One way to fix the problem is going in increments of 2 or 5 to get the best results but at the same time not a lot of drops of HCl acid is being used. Best results can be identified.
3.
This was not a realistic way to carry out a test because when an acid and a base are placed together, they react to neutralize the acid and base properties, producing a salt. The H(+) cation of the acid combines with the OH(-) anion of the base to form water. Acid react with bases to neutralize their properties and by mixing it together it releases heat by mixing chemical reactions. Sometimes the heat is enough to promote a vigorous reaction. In this case the heat may not be able to escape quickly so heats up the reactants perhaps to form a gas before the reaction is over. Since there is some acid still there it’s a danger that will cause the gas to expand.
4.
It is more beneficial to take an antacid after feeling heartburn. This is because antacids neutralize excess stomach acid to relieve heartburn, sour stomach, acid indigestion, and stomach upset. They can also be used to relieve the pain of stomach and duodenal ulcers. Some antacids contain simethicone, which reduces gas. Acid reducers help to relieve heartburn by decreasing the amount of acid produced by the stomach. OTC H2 blockers, such as Zantac and Pepcid, usually start to work within an hour and relieve symptoms for a longer period of time than antacids. OTC proton pump inhibitors include Prilosec and Prevacid 24HR. These medications are recommended for people who have heartburn more than two days a week that don’t find relief in the other choices. Proton pump inhibitors are not as fast acting as antacids and H2 blockers, but the relief lasts longer.
5.
A question that would be interesting to investigate with regards to the antacid effectiveness is, “How effective is an antacid tablet compared to an antacid liquid?â€
Experimental Procedure:
Break down the tablets and grind them to a powder using any solid item.
Add 10mL of water into a beaker and add the the powder, stir thoroughly.
Record the initial pH value.
Add one drop of phenolphthalein (indicator) to the mixture and stir well.
Add hydrochloric acid (HCl) into the antacid mixture. Add 5 drops at a time to get the best results. Keep adding drops until the mixture is fully neutralized.
Conclusion: “If the amount of magnesium hydroxide an antacid contains affects the effectiveness of an antacid, then Phillips Milk of Magnesia will be the most effective, containing the highest quantity of magnesium hydroxideâ€. The hypothesis is correct because magnesium is a naturally occurring mineral. Magnesium is important for many systems in the body especially the muscles and nerves. Milk of Magnesia also reduces stomach acid, and increases water in the intestines which may induce defecation. Milk of Magnesia is used as a laxative to relieve occasional constipation (irregularity) and as an antacid to relieve indigestion, sour stomach, and heartburn.
References:
Aluminum/Magnesium Antacid/Simethicone – Oral. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://myhealth.alberta.ca/Health/medications/Pages/conditions.aspx?hwid=fdb0769