Acid-Base Titration: Analysis of Antacid Tablets

Marian Franciesca A. Santos Clarissa A. Somera De La Salle University-Dasmarias Dasmarias, Cavite Philippines ABSTRACT An acid-base titration is a neutralization reaction that a chemist uses to determine the concentration of an acid or base. It was used to find the amount of an acidic or basic substance through acid base reactions. Addition of bases in water makes the solution increase its pH while the addition of acid makes a solution decrease its pH. Changes in the pH can be determined using indicators. Antacid tablets are the focus of the experimental procedure. The students calculated the average HCI in different antacid tablets to determine which tablet is more efficient to take. The higher the amount of HCI the more effective it is to use. The students crushed, weighed, and transferred the Gaviscon tablets into 250 mL Erlenmeyer flask. Tablet A weighs 0.555g while tablet B weighs 0.559g. The crushed tablet was dissolved in a 25 mL 0. HCI. The students added two drops of phenolphthalein indicator. The mixture was titrated with 0.1NaOH until its color turned pink. Same procedure was done in tablet B. Tablet A has 0.614g HCI/g tablet while tablet B has 0.162g HCI/g tablet.

INTRODUCTION Antacid tablets are widely used for treating heartburn and sour stomach. Excessive hydrochloric acid in the stomach probably caused the burning sensation beneath the breastbone. Antacid tablets contain components that neutralize and regulate the acidity in stomach to lessen the discomfort individuals feel. The molarity of a substance is defined as the amount of constituent divided by the volume of the mixture. Its formula is M=

molesofsol ute . The NaOH neutralizes the HCI by turning its litersofso lution

color into sift pink. To get the pH of the solution, proper procedures must be done. This study was undertaken to determine the average amount of HCI in an antacid tablet and to learn the technique in acid-base titration. Acid-base titration is the combination of an acid and base solution until one fully neutralizes the other. The amount added to reach neutralization determines how much acid or base is in a certain concentration. Acid base titration is one of the common types of titration. MATERIALS AND METHODS To get the analysis of the antacid tablet, the students did 2 trials of titration. First, the students crushed the tablet using mortar and pestle and weighed it. Crushed tablet were separated and put into different 250mL Erlenmeyers flask. The students added 25 mL 0.1 HCI in each flask to dissolve the crushed tablet completely. Two drops of phenolphthalein were added and the mixture was mixed. 0.1 NaOH was added into the mixture through a burette. The mixture was titrated until it turns into a light

pink color. Tablet Bs experimental procedure was completed using the same procedure. Observations and results during the experimental procedure were recorded.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS Results from the experimental procedure can be found at the table. Table.1 Analysis of Antacid Tablets

No. of trials
Weight of the tablet Final volume of NaOH used Initial volume of NaOH Volume of NaOH used Molarity of NaOH Molarity of HCI Volume of HCI Weight of HCI that has reacted with antacid tablet Weight of HCI/gram of antacid tablet 0.555 g 2.5 mL 0 mL 2.5 mL 0.1 M 0.1 M 25 mL 0.091 g 0.165

1
0.559 g 6.1 mL 2.5 mL 6.1 mL 0.1 M 0.1 M 25 mL 0.9064 g g HCI g tablet 0.162 g HCI g tablet

The average amount of HCI in the antacid tablet is 0.16gHCI/gtablet. Acid-base titration is a good technique in determining the pH and the amount of HCI in an antacid tablet. Antacid tablets differ in HCI contained in it. The students tested which brand of tablet is more efficient to use. With the help of acid-base titration students determined, that Gaviscon tablet is more efficient to use among the tested antacid tablets. Reference: Retrieved at : http://www.sparknotes.com/chemistry/acidsbases/titrations/section1.html on March 2. Retrieved at : http://www.chemguide.co.uk/physical/acidbaseeqia/phcurves.html on March 2.