Question

Question 26

Explain two neutralization reactions related to our daily lives.

Answer 1

1.Indigestion
Our stomach contains hydrochloric acid. It helps us digest food but too much acid in the stomach causes indigestion. Sometimes, indigestion is painful. To relieve indigestion, we take an antacid such as milk of magnesia which contains magnesium hydroxide. It neutralises the effect of excessive acid. The reaction involved -
$2HCl\left(aq\right)+Mg\left(OH{)}_2\right(s)\to MgC{l}_2(aq)+3H_{2}O(l)$

2. Ant sting
When an ant bites, it injects the acidic liquid (formic acid) into the skin. The effect of the acid can be neutralised by a base. Often used bases for this purpose are - moist baking soda (sodium hydrogen carbonate) or calamine solution, which contains zinc carbonate.