8+neutralizing+stomach+acid+=+Thurka+Thankathurai

__ **//Neutralizi//****//ng Stomach Acid//** __

__ **Introduction – What** is Stomach Acid? __ Stomach Acid is the acidic liquid in your stomach used to digest foods. It is also known as Gastric Acid, and is composed of a mixture of hydrochloric acid, potassium chloride, and sodium chloride. Its pH level averages between 1 and 2, which is acidic enough to slowly dissolve a thin strip of zinc. This acid is also strong enough to eat through living tissue, which would be a serious problem if not for the stomach cells constantly coating the inside of the stomach with mucus which is a critical barrier that protects the stomach from the acid, as well as having those cells reproduce at a rate around half a million per minute.



__**Why Stomach Acid might**__ __**nee**____**d to be ne**____**utrali**____**zed:**__ As would be expected of a substance inside the body that is able to digest the living tissue around it, some problems can arise with stomach acid that would require some of it to be neutralized. The most recognized problem is when the acid leaks upward through a valve into the esophagus, causing what is known as acid reflux or heartburn. Heartburn is when the stomach acids get into the esophagus and eat away at the lining, causing a burning sensation in the chest and throat. Leakage into the esophagus can be caused by a variety of reasons, including spicy foods, too much food, too little food, being overweight etc. In order to reduce the leakage of stomach acid into the esophagus, neutralization of some of the acid would be required, lest the esophagus receives permanent damage. In order to do this, antacids, which contain base materials, are taken.

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This video helps understand more about **Heart Burn.**

__ **How neutralization of Stomach Acid w** ____ **orks:** __ In order to expunge heartburn, some of the acid within the stomach needs to be neutralized. To do this, an antacid is taken. These antacids contain chemicals used to neutralize some of the acid in the stomach. In order to do so, a base chemical, generally aluminum hydroxide or magnesium hydroxide are used, as they're weak enough to not neutralize all of the acid, but strong enough to still neutralize enough of it. These compounds are also not very soluble, which means that not enough hydroxide ions are produced during taking the antacid to cause any irritation in the throat or mouth. However, it is generally a good idea not to take too many antacids of any type at once, as not only would the neutralization of so much acid make digesting foods difficult, but certain antacids, such as Sodium Hydrogen Carbonate (NaHCO3), contain sodium ions we already receive from salted foods.

Due to the chemical composition of the antacids, when they come in contact with the hydrochloric acid within the stomach acid, a chemical process occurs that neutralizes the acid. This is because the antacids contain weak base substances as mentioned previously. Although the chemical equation of neutralization differs based on what kind of antacid taken, an example using Aluminum Hydroxide would be:
 * 3 HCl(aq) + Al(OH) 3 (s) → AlCl 3 (aq) + 3 H2O(l)**



= = __In Conclusion.. __ Stomach acid is an important fluid in our bodies even though it has the capability of eating us from the inside. That being said, without it, there would be no way for us to digest foods. Even though it is potentially harmful but also absolutely needed, there are times when the acid gets out of hand and causes heartburn which harms our esophagus'. When that arises, antacids are needed to neutralize some of the acid within the stomach. Be it Tums, Rolaids, Pepcid Complete or a simple teaspoon of baking soda, some kind of basic substance is needed to get the amount of acid back under control.

= =

=__//Bibliography//__=
 * Nelson Chemistry 11 - Text book Pg. 207-208
 * http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heartburn
 * @http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gastric_acid

=__//Reviews//__=

__//Bioremediation - Kevin//__


 * Two familiar causes of contamination which occurred on land is the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico and also the earthquakes and tsunamis in Japan. This caused nuclear power plants to erupt and leak tons of nuclear waste into the Pacific ocean.
 * There are four types of bioremediation which can be used at the site of contamination, or on contaminated material removed from the site:
 * 1) Phytoremediation
 * 2) Biostimulation
 * 3) Bioaugmentation
 * 4) Intrinsic Bioremediation
 * There is a variety of different things which could cause land to become contaminated. These include dumping of waste into water supplies, nuclear plant meltdowns etc.

//Super Glue - Pratheep//


 * super glue is also referred to as cyanoacrylate.
 * Was discovered by a man named Harry Coover from Kodak during the World War II, when he was trying to make gun-sight lenses out of the substance but repeatedly failed because of the sticky compound that had been made.
 * Super glue can be used to assemble a variety of things including: electronics, wire wraps, flying model aircrafts, and as coverings for nuts and bolts.

Mining - Fathima B.

>
 * Mining is harmful to the earth. It causes deforestation.
 * Surface mining is the process which a tunnel is dug to expose mineral deposits.
 * Underground mining is the process in which miners drill into the earth to reach ore deposits