Write the balanced chemical equation for the neutralization reaction of stomach acid HCl with Al(OH)₃, an ingredient in some antacids.

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the reactants: The problem states that the reactants are hydrochloric acid (HCl) and aluminum hydroxide (Al(OH)₃). Neutralization reactions involve an acid and a base reacting to form water and a salt.
2. Write the unbalanced chemical equation: HCl + Al(OH)₃ → H₂O + AlCl₃. Here, water (H₂O) is formed from the reaction of H⁺ ions from the acid and OH⁻ ions from the base, and aluminum chloride (AlCl₃) is the salt formed.
3. Balance the aluminum atoms: There is one aluminum atom on both sides of the equation, so aluminum is already balanced.
4. Balance the chlorine atoms: Aluminum chloride (AlCl₃) contains three chlorine atoms, so you need three HCl molecules on the reactant side. The updated equation is 3HCl + Al(OH)₃ → H₂O + AlCl₃.
5. Balance the hydrogen and oxygen atoms: Aluminum hydroxide contains three OH⁻ groups, which will combine with three H⁺ ions from HCl to form three water molecules. The final balanced equation is 3HCl + Al(OH)₃ → 3H₂O + AlCl₃.

Key Concepts

Neutralization Reaction

A neutralization reaction occurs when an acid reacts with a base to produce water and a salt. In this context, hydrochloric acid (HCl) acts as the acid, while aluminum hydroxide (Al(OH)₃) serves as the base. The result of this reaction is the formation of water and aluminum chloride, demonstrating the fundamental principle of acid-base chemistry.

Balanced Chemical Equation

A balanced chemical equation represents a chemical reaction with equal numbers of each type of atom on both sides of the equation. Balancing ensures the law of conservation of mass is upheld, meaning that matter is neither created nor destroyed in the reaction. This is crucial for accurately depicting the reactants and products involved in the neutralization of stomach acid.

Stoichiometry

Stoichiometry is the calculation of reactants and products in chemical reactions based on their molar ratios. It allows chemists to predict the amounts of substances consumed and produced in a reaction. Understanding stoichiometry is essential for writing balanced equations, as it helps determine the coefficients needed to balance the neutralization reaction between HCl and Al(OH)₃.