General Question

LanceVance's avatar

What is the appropriate chemical analysis method to determine the formula of an unknown antacid?

Asked by LanceVance (645points) February 1st, 2009

I suppose that method is used not only for antacid formula determination, but many other chemical compounds. What’s it called?

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5 Answers

Vinifera7's avatar

I’m not very knowledgable about chemistry, but doesn’t a base neutralize an acid? Acid is low on the PH scale, so you would want something high? I don’t know.

Then again.. drinking a strong base would be more harmful than helpful. Don’t listen to me.

LanceVance's avatar

Exactly. That still doesn’t give you the formula though, considering you can use CaCO3, NaHCO3 or more complex such as Mg6Al2(CO3)(OH)16 * 4H2O, the so called hydrotalcite.

Let me put it that way. How do you determine what’s in the pill?

nikipedia's avatar

I would use a combination of spectroscopy and chromatography.

Vinifera7's avatar

Spectroscopy. That’s fun to say!

steve6's avatar

Qualitative analysis. Run metals on AA. Mass spec. Density just for laughs. Gas chromatography might show some flavorings (GC only shows volatile compounds) but chances are they will have to go to mass spec. for ID.

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