Home

Home
Common Compounds
Exam Guide
FAQ
Features
Glossary
Construction Kits
Companion Notes
Just Ask Antoine!
Simulations
Slide Index
Toolbox
Tutorial Index

FAQ
Introduction
Measurement
Matter
Atoms & ions
Compounds
Chemical change
The mole
Gases
Energy & change
The quantum theory
Electrons in atoms
The periodic table
Chemical bonds
Solids
Liquids
Solutions
Acids & bases
Redox reactions
Reaction rates
Organic chemistry
Everyday chemistry
Inorganic chemistry
Environmental chemistry
Laboratory
History of chemistry
Miscellaneous


Home :FAQ :Chemistry of everyday lifePrint | Comment
Previous Question Next Question

What makes Alka Seltzer tablets fizz?


Alka Seltzer tablets contain solid sodium bicarbonate and citric acid. When dropped into water, sodium citrate, carbon dioxide, and water are formed:

The sodium citrate is a weak base. It neutralizes stomach acid (mainly HCl) by the following reaction:

Na3C3H5O7 (aq) + 3 HCl(aq) doublearrow H3C3H5O7 (aq) + 3 NaCl(aq)

Author: Fred Senese senese@antoine.frostburg.edu



General Chemistry Online! What makes Alka Seltzer tablets fizz?

Copyright © 1997-2010 by Fred Senese
Comments & questions to fsenese@frostburg.edu
Last Revised 02/23/18.URL: http://antoine.frostburg.edu/chem/senese/101/consumer/faq/why-does-alkaseltzer-fizz.shtml