Chemistry: Neutralization in Everyday Life

Chemistry: Neutralization in Everyday Life

 

Indigestion

• We know that our stomach produces hydrochloric acid which helps in the digestion of food.
• But sometimes the stomach releases too much of acid which leads to indigestion or sometimes hyperacidity.
• Hence, we need to neutralize this acid by taking substances that are basic in nature commonly known as antacids.
• For Example, milk of magnesia is a basic substance that can neutralize the acid of the stomach. 

 

Ant Bite

• The irritation of the skin due to ant bite is caused because of the presence of formic acid that the ant injects into the skin while biting.
• Hence, we use a basic substance to neutralize the effect.
• For Example, baking soda or hydrogen carbonate, calamine solution or zinc carbonate are generally used to treat ant bites

 

Soil Treatment

• Plants need a soil which is neutral in nature but using chemical fertilizers on soil can turn it into acidic.
• To treat acidic soil, we use quicklime (calcium oxide) or slaked lime (calcium hydroxide).
• Basic soil can be treated by adding organic substances to it as they release acids while decomposing into the soil. 

 

Factory Wastes

The factory waste is acidic in nature and cannot be directly dumped anywhere. Hence bases are added to it before it falls off into a river or stream so that the aquatic life does not get affected.