Question

Antacids are drugs that are used to combat hyperacidity by neutralizing the excess acid (HCl) present in the stomach. Another popular component of antacid preparations is aluminum hydroxide, Al(OH)3.

1. Write a balanced chemical equation describing the neutralization reaction between aluminum hydroxide and hydrochloric acid.
2. How many grams of HCl can be neutralized by one tablespoon of an antacid preparation containing 300 mg of Al(OH)3, assuming complete reaction.

Answer 1

1. $Al(OH)_3 + 3HCl \to AlCl_3 + 3H_2O$

2.

From the reaction above,

1 mole of $Al(OH)_3$ neutralizes 3 moles of HCl

78g of $Al(OH)_3$ neutralizes 109.5 moles og HCl

300mg of the$Al(OH)_3$ neutralizes x mg of HCl

x = 300 × 109.5/78 = 421.15 mg

$\therefore$ 421.15mg of HCl can be neutralized by one tablespoon of the antacid.