8+Neutralizing+Stomach+acid+Dhruva

__NEUTRALIZING STOMACH ACID __ BY: DHRUVA DESAI __** What is Stomch Acid? **__ Stomach acid is hydrochloric acid which is a digestive fluid in your stomach that helps with the digestion of the food that you eat. The pH level of this acid is about 1.5 which is acidic enough to eat through a strip of metal. Luckily the lining of our stomach produces mucus that protects the stomach from being eaten away from the acid. Stomach cells also reproduce very quickly which is another defence the stomach has against the acid. __** Problems with Stomach Acid **__ There are many things that can cause the pH level of the hydrochloric acid to change. Factors such as stress, infections, diet and sleep can all affect the pH level of stomach acid. A very high pH level will not digest the food we eat properly. Stomach acid sometimes also leaks out the stomach through valves, entering the esophagus. This is caused by overeating and eating spicy foods as well as other factors. The acid can cause irritation to the esophagues because the esophagus doesn't have the same tissues as the stomach to protect itself from the acid. This problem is called acid reflux or a heartburn. The video below explains acid reflux better. media type="youtube" key="SQ5iVg16ed0" height="354" width="565" align="center"

__** Neutralizing Stomach Acid **__ To help with the problems that occur with the change of the pH level of the stomach acid, antacids can be taken. When neutralizing stomach acid it is important not to make the acid too neutral or basic because stomach acid is naturally meant to be low for the purpose of digesting food. Antacids are weak bases that are very slightly soluble, so not many hydroxide ions get produced, which keeps the mouth and esophagus safe from irritation while in the stomach it can neutralize the excess acid. Substances such as magnesium hydroxide and aluminum hydroxide are often used in some antacid products because they are weak bases. Below is the chemical neutralization reaction that occurs between hydrochloric acid and aluminum hydroxide and following are a few pictures of antacids: ‍‍‍‍‍‍‍3 HCl(aq) + Al(OH) 3 (s) = AlCl 3 (aq) + 3H 2 O(l) ‍‍‍‍‍‍‍

One must always keep in mind that we are always consuming substances that are neutralizing the stomach acid inside our bodies. Substances such as sodium hydrogen carbonate are not a good idea to consume too often because when we eat salty food, we are consuming the sodium ions already. An alternative to taking an antacid to neutralize stomach acid is to eat some particular food products that will release ions that will also neutralize stomach acid. Below are a few foods that help with the neutralization of stomach acid. Apples, Green leafy vegetables, Salty Pretzels

** To sum it all up, hydrochloric acid is the acid that is in our stomach which has a very low pH level. Sometimes the changes in the pH level cause problems inside our bodies, one of them being heartburns. There are many reasons as to why these problems occur like stress, infections and your diet. To help with the neutralization of the acid in your stomach, antacids can be taken or even better, make sure that some particular foods that realse weak base ions are eaten. **

__**Bibliography**__ Nelson Chemistry textbook pg 207-208 [] [] []

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__** Review (The things I learned) **__
 * //Bioremediation//-Pirasha**
 * 1)** Bioremediation is a natural biological process which helps our environment become a cleaner place.
 * 2)** The are three main types of bioremediation:biostimulation, bioaugmentation and intrinsic bioremediation
 * 3)** A disadvantage of bioremediation is that it does completely degrade all contaminants and the process is not super quick either.


 * //Super Glue//- Pratheep**
 * 1)** Super glue also known as cyanoacrylate.
 * 2)** The gases that are released from super glue can irrate delicate tissues in the eye, nose and throat.
 * 3)** The maximum strength of super glue can be witnessed when bonding metal to metal.


 * //Recycling of Car Batteries//- Zargham**
 * 1)** Car batteries are rechargable batteries that are know as SLI which power the starter motor, the lights, and the ignition system of a vehicle’s engine
 * 2)** The batteries contain a great percentage of leakage which cause a great number of health and environment issues.
 * 3)** 97% of all battery lead is recycled.