Question

Milk of magnesia is used as :
A. antichlor
B. antacid
C. antiseptic
D. food preservative

Answer 1

Hint : As its name milk of magnesia tells that it contains magnesium which is a naturally occurring mineral. Our body needs magnesium for the proper function of the body. Milk of magnesia is magnesium hydroxide which is considered as a strong electrolyte. It is a weak base. It is available in the form of liquid or tablets in medical stores.

Complete step by step solution:
Milk of magnesia is used as a laxative relief from constipation and it makes digestion easy. It also gives relief from heartburn. Milk of magnesia is alkaline in nature. We know that when acid and base react they produce salt and water. So it can neutralize stomach acid (hydrochloric acid ) .It can reduce the stomach acid by increasing water in the intestines. It can be taken with milk or water. So Milk of magnesia is used as an antacid. Here option B is the correct answer to this problem. It is one of the safest antacids and can be taken regularly by constipation patients. All the antacids used to be alkaline in nature so that they can react with stomach acid.

Note : We know that antacid neutralizes the excess acid in our stomach and gives relief from indigestion and heartburn. Other examples of antacids are calcium carbonate, sodium bicarbonates, aluminium hydroxide etc. These antacids are basic in nature and have the ability to increase water content in the stomach. Hence milk of magnesia is antacid. Magnesium hydroxide is a white solid which has low solubility in water. It can be naturally found in the mineral brucite.