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
To determine which tablet would neutralize the most acid for the money, we need to calculate the number of moles of the active ingredient in each tablet or solution given and compare them.
Let's start by writing the balanced chemical equation for the neutralization reaction between hydrochloric acid (HCl) and the active ingredients in each tablet:
CaCO3(s) + 2HCl(aq) → CaCl2(aq) + CO2(g) + H2O(l)
Mg(OH)2(s) + 2HCl(aq) → MgCl2(aq) + 2H2O(l)
Now, let's calculate the number of moles of each active ingredient in each option:
a) Rolaids:
- 550 mg CaCO3 per tablet.
- 110 mg Mg(OH) per tablet.
- Number of moles of CaCO3 = (550 mg / molar mass of CaCO3).
- Number of moles of Mg(OH) = (110 mg / molar mass of Mg(OH)2).
b) Tums:
- 500 mg CaCO3 per tablet.
- Number of moles of CaCO3 = (500 mg / molar mass of CaCO3).
c) Phillips:
- 1200 mg Mg(OH) per 15 mL.
- Convert mL to liters: 769 mL = 0.769 L.
- Number of moles of Mg(OH) = (1200 mg / molar mass of Mg(OH)2).
Now, let's compare the number of moles of the active ingredients in each option to evaluate which provides the most antacid for the money.
To determine the most antacid for the money, we will compare the cost of the active ingredient in each option. For Rolaids and Tums, we need to calculate the cost per mole of active ingredient by dividing the total cost by the number of moles for each active ingredient.
For Phillips, we need to calculate the cost per mole of the active ingredient by dividing the total cost by the number of moles of active ingredient.
Compare the cost per mole for each option and choose the one with the lowest cost per mole as it provides the most antacid for the money.