Question 8:Explain why: (a) An antacid tablet is taken when you suffer from acidity. (b) Calamine solution is applied on the skin when an ant bites. (c) Factory waste is neutralised before disposing it into the water bodies

Answer:(a) This is because during acidity, an excess of acids is produced in the stomach. An antacid contains base, such as milk of magnesia. These bases react with excess of acids and neutralize their effect, thus giving us relief. (b) When an ant bites, it injects formic acid into the skin. Calamine solution contains zinc carbonate which is basic in nature. Therefore, it is applied on the skin to neutralize the effect of formic acid. (c) Factory wastes contain acids. Therefore, these wastes, when thrown directly to water bodies, harm aquatic lives. Hence, these wastes are neutralised with basic chemicals before disposing to water bodies.