Some antacids contain aluminum hydroxide [Al (OH) 3]. This compound reacts with excess hydrochloric acid (HCl) in the stomach to neutralize it. If the products of this reaction are water and aluminum chloride, what is the balanced chemical equation for this reaction?

The answer to your question is Al (OH) ₃ + 3 HCl ⇒ AlCl₃ + 3H₂O

Explanation:

Data

Reactants

Aluminum hydroxide [Al (OH) ₃]

Hydrochloric acid (HCl)

Products

Water (H₂O)

Aluminum chloride [AlCl₃]

Chemical reaction

Al (OH) ₃ + HCl ⇒ AlCl₃ + H₂O

Reactants Elements Products

1 Al 1

1 Cl 3

4 H 2

3 O 1

This reaction is unbalanced

Al (OH) ₃ + 3 HCl ⇒ AlCl₃ + 3H₂O

Reactants Elements Products

1 Al 1

3 Cl 3

6 H 6

3 O 3

Now, the reaction is balanced