Question

(a) Mention the pH range within which our body works. Explain how antacids give relief from acidity. Write the name of one such antacid.
(b) Fresh milk has a pH of 6. How does the pH change as it turns to curd? Explain your answer.

Answer 1

Hint :Our body works between the $ pH $ ranges $ 7.3 - 7.5 $ . Acidity is the excess of acid level in the stomach. Antacid contains basic salt, so whenever we take antacid it reacts with the excess acid of the stomach and neutralizes it. The neutralization reaction takes place between the acid and the base. Commonly used antacids have at least one of these ingredients: Calcium Carbonate, Magnesium Hydroxide, Aluminium Hydroxide or Sodium Bicarbonate.

Complete Step By Step Answer:
The $ pH $ of the stomach is $ 2 $ . Antacids are the chemicals which act like bases and neutralize the acids present in the stomach. Sodium hydrogen carbonate is a good example of an antacid. $ pH $ of milk decreases when it is converted into curd. This is due to an increase in the acidity of the milk due to the lactic acid producing bacteria.

Note :
Antacids work by neutralising the acid present in your stomach. They are capable of doing this because the chemicals present in antacids are bases which are the opposite of acids. The reactions which take place between acids and bases are called neutralisation reactions. Antacids which contain aluminium hydroxide may cause constipation and aluminium-intoxication.