Questions: What does an antacid do to neutralize excess stomach acid? Multiple Choice Release H^+ Take up H^+ Release salt

Solution Steps

Antacids are substances that help neutralize stomach acid, which is primarily composed of hydrochloric acid (HCl). The goal of an antacid is to reduce the acidity in the stomach, thereby alleviating symptoms like heartburn.

To neutralize stomach acid, an antacid must counteract the excess hydrogen ions (\(\mathrm{H}^{+}\)) present in the stomach. This is typically achieved by a chemical reaction where the antacid takes up \(\mathrm{H}^{+}\) ions, thereby reducing the overall acidity.

• Release \(\mathrm{H}^{+}\): This would increase the acidity, which is the opposite of what an antacid is supposed to do.
• Take up \(\mathrm{H}^{+}\): This would neutralize the excess \(\mathrm{H}^{+}\) ions, reducing the acidity.
• Release salt: While some antacids may produce salt as a byproduct, the primary action is to neutralize \(\mathrm{H}^{+}\) ions.

Final Answer