Question

milk of magnesia is sometimes used as a remedy for an acid stomach. would you expect the pH of milk of magnesia to be less than 7, more than 7, or 7? why?

Answer 1

Answer on Question# 58310 - Chemistry - Inorganic Chemistry

Milk of magnesia is sometimes used as a remedy for an acid stomach. would you expect the pH of milk of magnesia to be less than 7, more than 7, or 7? why?

Solution

Milk of magnesia represents magnesium hydroxide, which dissociates in aqueous solutions as follows:

$$\mathrm{Mg(OH)_2} = \mathrm{Mg^{2+}} + 2\mathrm{OH}^-$$

It acts as the Arrhenius base, releasing hydroxide-ions to solution. The presence of hydroxide ions determines the basic medium of the milk of magnesia. The basic medium corresponds to a pH>7.

Answer: the pH of milk of magnesia to be more than 7.