Write the total and net ionic equations for the reaction in which the antacid Al(OH) \(_{3}\) neutralizes the stomach acid HCl. Identify the type of reaction. $$\begin{array}{l}{\text { a. Identify the spectator ions in this reaction. }} \\\ {\text { b. What would be the advantages of using }} \\ {\text { Al(OH) }_{3} \text { as an antacid rather than }} \\ {\text { NaHCO_ }_{3} \text { , which undergoes the following }} \\ {\text { reaction with stomach acid? }}\end{array}$$ $$\begin{array}{c}{\mathrm{NaHCO}_{3}(a q)+\mathrm{HCl}(a q) \rightarrow}{\mathrm{NaCl}(a q)+\mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{O}(l)+\mathrm{CO}_{2}(g)}\end{array}$$

Short Answer

Expert verified
The total ionic equation of the reaction is Al^3+ (aq) + 3OH^- (aq) + 3H^+ (aq) + 3Cl^- (aq) → Al^3+ (aq) + 3Cl^- (aq) + 3H_2O (l). The net ionic equation is 3OH^- (aq) + 3H^+ (aq) → 3H_2O (l). The type of reaction is acid-base neutralization. The spectator ions are Al^3+ and Cl^-. Al(OH)_3 is a more beneficial antacid than NaHCO_3 since it does not release CO2 gas upon neutralization which could cause gastric bloating and discomfort.

Step by step solution

01

Write the balanced chemical equation

The balanced chemical equation for the reaction between Al(OH)_3 and HCl is: Al(OH)_3 (s) + 3HCl (aq) → AlCl_3 (aq) + 3H_2O (l)
02

Write total ionic equation

The total ionic equation for the reaction would be: Al^3+ (aq) + 3OH^- (aq) + 3H^+ (aq) + 3Cl^- (aq) → Al^3+ (aq) + 3Cl^- (aq) + 3H_2O (l)
03

Write net ionic equation

The net ionic equation, which only includes the ions that actually participate in the reaction (removing the spectator ions), is: 3OH^- (aq) + 3H^+ (aq) → 3H_2O (l)
04

Identify the type of reaction and the spectator ions

The type of reaction here is acid-base neutralization, where a base (Al(OH)_3) reacts with an acid (HCl) to form salt (AlCl_3) and water (H_2O). The spectator ions, which are parts of reactants that do not participate in the reaction, are Al^3+ and Cl^-
05

Compare Al(OH)_3 and NaHCO_3 as antacids

Both Al(OH)_3 and NaHCO_3 can neutralize stomach acid. Al(OH)_3 has the advantage that it does not release CO2 gas upon reaction with stomach acid, which could cause gastric bloating and belching. Conversely, NaHCO_3 reacts with stomach acid and leads to the formation of CO2 gas, thereby causing mentioned issues.

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