Final answer:
Taking an antacid before eating a hamburger neutralizes the excess stomach acid, providing relief from discomfort. The reaction between the antacid and acid in the stomach produces carbon dioxide gas.
Step-by-step explanation:
When you take an antacid (a buffer) before eating a hamburger, the base in the antacid will react with the excess stomach acid (HCl) and neutralize it. This helps to alleviate discomfort that may be caused by the excess acid. For example, one of the common antacids is calcium carbonate (CaCO3), and the reaction with HCl is as follows: A common reaction involves calcium carbonate, a prevalent antacid ingredient, reacting with HCl to form calcium chloride, water, and carbon dioxide, which can relieve discomfort and may result in a belch.
CaCO3(s) + 2HCl(aq) = CaCl₂ (aq) + H₂O(1) + CO₂(g)
Not only does this reaction neutralize the stomach acid, but it also produces carbon dioxide gas (CO₂) which may result in a belch.