Understanding and Comparing Antacids
In this lab activity, students compare several “over-the- counter” brands of antacid tablets for solubility and the ability to neutralize acid. Your stomach contains gastric juices used for digestion. Gastric juices contain hydrochloric acid (HCl) and typically have a pH of 2-3. Antacids are medicinesthat contain alkaline compounds (bases) that neutralize excess stomach acids. Students use pH paper to measure acidity and a pH indicator to determine the end point of an acid-base titration. Antacids also help slow the release of carbon dioxide gas (CO2) produced during neutralization and students use limewater to confirm the production of CO2.
Details at a Glance
- 1 Day | 1 ~50 minute class period
- 2 Activities
- Accommodates 2 classes, each with 8 groups of 4 students
- Consumables service 64 students
- Meets our criteria for supporting literacy
- Requires a water source
Scientific Concepts
• Relate science to the real world by reinforcement and application
• Perform a neutralizing activity and quantitize it
• Infer which brands of antacids are most effective
• Determine cost-benefits of various brands
Guides & Student Sheets
Our kits and modules provide you with everything you need so you can open, review, and teach the material confidently the next day.
- Full downloadable Teacher Guide with background information, detailed instruction, example data and answers
- Downloadable Student Sheets with age appropriate background information, full procedure(s), and analysis questions
- All materials necessary to carry out the investigation
- Safety Data Sheets
Kit Components
- 1 Teacher’s Guide with MSDS
- 30 Student Worksheets and Guides
- 8 Chemplates®
- 8 Rubber tubes
- 1 Vial of universal pH indicator strips
- 24 Calibrated tubes with caps
- 1 Drop control bottle of Phenolphthalein solution 15ml
- 8 Drop control bottles of 0.1M Sodium Hydroxide 30ml
- 4 Drop control bottles of 0.1M Hydrochloric Acid (fill is 100 ml), 180ml
- 2 60mL bottles of 0.5M Hydrochloric Acid
- 2 60 mL bottles of 0.5M Sodium Hydroxide
- 2 60 mL bottles of Limewater
- Not included and needed for instruction: Antacid tablets.