Antacid Effectiveness: Which is more effective; Milk of Magnesia or Tums?
Active Ingredient
Active Ingredient per unit
Recommended dose
Milk of Magnesia
Mg(OH)2
400 mg / teaspoon
2 teaspoons
Tums
CaCO3
1000 mg / tablet
2 tablets
We can compare the effectiveness of these antacids by figuring out which one can neutralize more
grams of stomach acid (HCl) per dose. Use the information above to follow the steps below in order to
obtain your final conclusion.
Milk of Magnesia
Tums
1) Write out the complete equation for the
neutralization of HCl by this antacid:
2) Calculate how many grams of the active
ingredient are in each dose:
3) Convert the number of grams used to
moles
4) Use stoichiometry to relate the moles of
antacid to moles of HCl
5) Convert moles of HCl to grams of HCl
1) Write out the complete equation for the
neutralization of HCl by this antacid:
2) Calculate how many grams of the active
ingredient are in each dose:
3) Convert the number of grams used to
moles
4) Use stoichiometry to relate the moles of
antacid to moles of HCl
5) Convert moles of HCl to grams of HCl
Which antacid can neutralize more HCl per dose? __________________________
What other factors might you look at to choose an antacid?
Which antacid might work the fastest, based on your knowledge of kinetics? __________________