The most effective antacid in the Antacids as Buffers simulation
Multiple Choice
A acted to suppress the cells that produce acid, rather than buffering the acid in the stomach.
B did not buffer the added acid.
C was phenol red
D was able to receive the most acid before the pH dropped significantly
E received the least amount of acid before the pit dropped significantly
The correct answer and explanation is :
The correct answer is:
D: was able to receive the most acid before the pH dropped significantly.
Explanation:
In the Antacids as Buffers simulation, different substances are tested for their ability to act as buffers in the stomach, which involves resisting changes in pH when acid is added. A buffer is a substance that can neutralize small amounts of added acid or base, preventing significant changes in pH.
Antacids are designed to work as buffers, primarily by neutralizing stomach acid, which is composed mostly of hydrochloric acid (HCl). When an antacid is added to an acidic solution, it can react with the acid to form water and salts, which helps to prevent the pH from dropping too low (becoming too acidic). The most effective antacid is one that can buffer the acid in the stomach, meaning it can absorb the acid without allowing the pH to decrease significantly.
In the simulation, the most effective antacid would be the one that can handle the greatest amount of acid before the pH drops significantly. This indicates that the antacid has a higher buffering capacity, meaning it can neutralize more acid before the solution becomes too acidic. This is critical for antacids, as their primary role is to provide relief from heartburn and indigestion, where excess stomach acid causes discomfort.
- Option A refers to an antacid that works by suppressing acid production in the stomach, which is not related to buffering acid directly, so it’s not the correct answer.
- Option B describes an antacid that does not buffer the acid, which would not be effective.
- Option C mentions phenol red, which is an indicator of pH but does not serve as a buffer.
- Option E describes an antacid that buffers only a small amount of acid before the pH drops, which means it is less effective than one that can absorb more acid (Option D).
Thus, Option D is the correct answer because it describes the antacid with the highest capacity to buffer acid before the pH becomes too acidic.