Ask A Scientist Chemistry Archive

name         Don P.
status       educator
age          40s

Question -   I have seen lots of baking soda plus vinegar 
questions and answers, but I was wondering what the formula was for a ant-acid (Tums)
plus vinegar reaction was.  Can you help?
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Don,

Tums is mainly calcium carbonate (CaCO3). Vinegar is mainly acetic acid
(HC2H3O2). The reaction goes like this:

CaCO3   +   2 HC2H3O2  ==>  Ca(C2H3O2)2   +   H2CO3

The H2CO3 (carbonic acid) is unstable. It disproportionates (decomposes)
into CO2 (gas bubbles) and H2O

Regards,
ProfHoff 489
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The active ingredient in Tums is calcium carbonate, CaCO3, and in vinegar
is acetic acid, CH3CO2H.
The reaction is:     CaCO3 + 2 CH3CO2H  ----> CO2 gas + H2O + Ca(+2) + 2
CH3CO2(-1)

Vince Calder
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Not much different.  Baking soda is sodium bicarbonate, the active
ingredient in Tums is calcium carbonate.

   CaCO3 + 2 CH3COOH --> Ca(CH3COO)2 + H2O + CO2

Richard E. Barrans Jr., Ph.D.
Director of Academic Programs
PG Research Foundation, Darien, Illinois
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