Different manufacturers claim to have the best antacid. Which of the following tablets would neutralize the most acid for the money? Write a balanced chemical equation along with your answer.

a) Rolaids (550 mg CaCO3 and 110 mg Mg(OH) per tablet) - 150 tablets for $9.44

b) Tums (500 mg CaCO3 per tablet) - 150 tablets for $5.49

c) Phillips (1200 mg Mg(OH)2 per 15mL) - 769 mL for $9.99

The equations are

CaCO3 + 2HCl ==> CaCl2 + H2O + CO2
Mg(OH)2 + 2HCl ==> MgCl2 + 2H2O

Can you go from there?

To determine which tablet would neutralize the most acid for the money, we need to compare the amount of moles of the active ingredient in each tablet and calculate the cost per mole of active ingredient. This will allow us to determine the most cost-effective option.

Let's start by writing the balanced chemical equation for the neutralization reaction of acid with the active ingredients in each tablet:

a) Rolaids: CaCO3 + 2HCl -> CaCl2 + CO2 + H2O
b) Tums: CaCO3 + 2HCl -> CaCl2 + CO2 + H2O
c) Phillips: Mg(OH)2 + 2HCl -> MgCl2 + 2H2O

Now, let's calculate the moles of active ingredient per tablet for each option:

a) Rolaids:
- CaCO3: 550 mg (1 g / 1000 mg) / 100.09 g/mol = 0.0055 mol
- Mg(OH)2: 110 mg (1 g / 1000 mg) / 58.32 g/mol = 0.0019 mol

b) Tums:
- CaCO3: 500 mg (1 g / 1000 mg) / 100.09 g/mol = 0.0050 mol

c) Phillips:
- Mg(OH)2: 1200 mg (1 g / 1000 mg) / 58.32 g/mol = 0.0206 mol

Now, let's calculate the cost per mole of active ingredient for each option:

a) Rolaids: $9.44 / (0.0055 mol CaCO3 + 0.0019 mol Mg(OH)2) = $865.45/mol
b) Tums: $5.49 / 0.0050 mol CaCO3 = $1098/mol
c) Phillips: $9.99 / 0.0206 mol Mg(OH)2 = $485.64/mol

Based on the calculations, the tablet with the most cost-effective amount of active ingredient for neutralizing acid is Rolaids. Rolaids has the lowest cost per mole of active ingredient when compared to Tums and Phillips. Therefore, Rolaids would neutralize the most acid for the money.

It's worth noting that this analysis assumes all active ingredients present in the tablets react with the acid and contribute to neutralization. In practice, the actual effectiveness of antacids can vary depending on individual factors.