From Acid Pain to Placid Gain: The Antacid Test!

Overview

Millions of people suffer from heartburn every day, but few realize how differently antacids work chemically to neutralize acid. Acid-base reactions describe how substances interact to increase or decrease acidity, providing relief and explaining how antacids ease stomach pain. Antacids increase pH by dissolving and releasing ions. They treat heartburn, indigestion, and digestive issues. This experiment's goal was to find out which of four antacid types (Tums®, Rolaids®, Alka-Seltzer®, and a homemade baking-soda antacid), compared to no antacid, most effectively neutralizes a white-vinegar solution within 3 minutes, measured by pH meter and stopwatch. Baking soda was predicted to neutralize acid fastest, because sodium bicarbonate reacts with acetic acid to form sodium acetate, water, and carbon dioxide, and its ionic dissociation enables faster neutralization due to formulation, solubility, and dissolution rate. For ten trials, 100 milliliters of vinegar were measured, and a pH meter recorded values at 10-second intervals for 180 seconds. Antacid amount, temperature, stirring rate, and container type were regulated to lower error. In contrast to the control at 2.54pH, all antacids raised pH: Alka-Seltzer from 2.51pH to 3.00pH (Δ0.49), Rolaids from 2.55pH to 2.78pH (Δ0.23), Tums from 2.55pH to 3.95pH (Δ1.40), baking soda from 2.56pH to 5.40pH (Δ2.84). Results validated the hypothesis; solid tablets took longer to decompose than dissolved substances, and consistent trends reinforced reliability. My goal was to guide customers from acid pain to placid gain, achieved through quantitative analysis and monitored experimentation.

Competition history

• CSEF 2026 Chemistry (Junior Division) · Entry J-05-05

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