Question

What is an antacid? Give one example of an antacid and explain its working.

Answer 1

Part 1: Antacid

An antacid is a medicine used to treat the excess amounts of acid in our stomach.

Part 2: Example and working of an antacid

• Sometimes due to poor eating habits or indigestion, an excess amount of Hydrochloric acid($\mathrm{HCl}$) is secreted in our gut, which causes pain, heartburn, nausea, or discomfort.
• This gut problem could be cured using an antacid.
• A very popular antacid is Milk of Magnesia.
• It contains Magnesium hydroxide$\left(\mathrm{Mg}{\left(\mathrm{OH}\right)}_2\right)$ and Aluminium hydroxide $\left(\mathrm{Al}{\left(\mathrm{OH}\right)}_3\right)$, which help in neutralizing the excess amount of acid in our stomach and give instant relief.
• It also helps in indigestion.