J.R. S. answered 05/18/22
Ph.D. University Professor with 10+ years Tutoring Experience
Neutralization reaction
Mg(OH)2 + 2HCl ==> MgCl2 + 2H2O ... balanced equation
Find mols HCl in 5 mls of stomach acid
5 mls HCl x 1 L / 1000 mls x 0.2 mols HCl / L = 0.001 mols HCl
Find mols Mg(OH)2 needed to neutralize 0.001 mols HCl (use mol ratio in balanced equation)
0.001 mols HCl x 1 mol Mg(OH)2 / 2 mols HCl = 0.0005 mols Mg(OH)2 needed
Find mols of Mg(OH)2 in each tablet (use molar mass of Mg(OH)2 = 58.3 g/mol)
15 mg Mg(OH)2 / tablet x 1g/1000 mg x 1 mol Mg(OH)2 / 58.3 g = 0.000257 mols Mg(OH)2 / tablet
Find number of tablets needed to provide 0.0005 mols Mg(OH)2
0.0005 mols Mg(OH)2 x 1 tablet / 0.000257 mols Mg(OH)2 = 1.94 tablets = 2 tablets are needed