SCIENCE LAB REPORT GUIDE: MYP 1-3

Design - Criterion B

Aim
Experiment to find out the time it takes for the
indigestion tablets, Maalox, Rennies and Gaviscon to
neutralise the stomach acid.

Background research
In Gavescton the calcium carbonate and sodium
bicarbonate work quickly to neutralise stomach acid,
to bring you effective indigestion relief. Gaviscon Dual
Action Liquids & Tablets offer long lasting and
effective relief. Gaviscon contains three active
ingredients: sodium alginate, sodium bicarbonate and
calcium carbonate. Gaveston also forms a protective
layer that floats on top of the contents of your
stomach. This stops stomach acid escaping up into
your food pipe.
Maalox is a medicine containing the local action
antacids. They work by neutralizing the acid secreted
by the stomach. Maalox contains three active
ingredients: aluminium hydroxide gel, simethicone
and magnesium hydroxide. Rennie Spearmint tablets
contain two antacids called calcium carbonate and
 magnesium carbonate which neutralizes stomach
acid by turning it into water. They act directly in the
oesophagus as well as in the stomach and are then
eliminated by your body.Rennies is a medicine
containing calcium carbonate and magnesium
carbonate.

Hypothesis:
If the indigestion tablet is changed to Gaviscon then it
will neutralise the stomach acid faster because
Gaviscon has the strongest alkali.

Variables

Independent variable
The type of indigestion tablet: Gaviscon, Rennies and
Maalox.

Dependent variable
Time to neutralise the acid (stomach acid) in seconds.

Controlled variables

Controlled variable Details of how it is being kept the

same
Acid The amount and the type acid is being
 kept the same because if it wasn’t
kept the same it would not be a fair
test. If there is more acid it’s going to
go faster and if there is less it’s going
to go slower.
Indigestion tablet The amount of indigestion tablets is
powder being kept the same because if there
is more powder, it’s going to go faster
but the types of indigestion tablets are
different.
Paper The paper is being kept the same
because if there is a paper that is
heavier than another it’s not going to
be a fair test because there is going to
be less or more powder.
Universal Indicator The amount of universal indicator is
being kept the same because if there
is more universal indicator it’s going to
go faster and if there is less, it’s going
to go slower.
Mass balance The mass balance is being kept the
same because if there is a mass
balance that doesn’t work correctly
than the mass balance that works
correctly is going to measure the good
amount of powder, while the other one
is going to measure more or less
powder.
Method
(a) List of apparatus
● Mass balance1
● Paper1
● Beaker1
● Measuring cylinder1
● Acid (10ml)
● Universal Indicator (10 drops)
● Indigestion tablet (0,50g, for each test)
● Pestle1
● Mortar1

(b) Diagram of Experiment

(c) steps

● First, take an indigestion tablet and make a powder

out of it with a pestle and mortar.
● Then, cut a piece of paper and fold it in two.
● After that, put the powder on the mass balance little
by little until it measures 0,50g.
● Later on, put the powder on the side and put 10ml of
acid in a measuring cylinder.
● When you’ve done that, put the acid in a beaker and
put 10 drops of universal indicator in the same
beaker.
● When you’re ready, put the powder in the beaker and
mix it five times at 50s then, 1m and after that, wait
30s before you mix it again until it becomes yellow.
● Finally, repeat this experiment 3 times for each of the
three indigestion tablets.

(d) Safety
Put some goggles to protect your eyes from
hazardous materials or chemicals.

Data Collection and Processing - Criterion C

Observations
● Weird smell
● Smelt like toothpaste
● Changed color
● They were bobbles
● We did the experiment only three times for each
type of indigestion tablet while we needed to to it
at least five times on each type of indigestion
tablet.
● We didn’t have enough data.
● We didn’t have enough time for the Gaviscon
indigestion tablet, so we stopped at 8 mins before
it got yellow.

Raw Data Table

 1G 2G 3G 1M 2M 3M 1R 2R 3R
Time More 140 More 306 276s 286s 130s 135 13
(seconds) than s than s s 1s
to go 480s 480s
yellow

Total G=367 M=289 R=132

Key
G = Gaviscon
M = Maalox
R = Rennies

Data Processing
Calculating the average time it takes to go yellow
in Maalox:
306+276+286=868
868÷3= 289

Graph

Key
Pink = Rennies
Purple = Maalox
Blue = Gaviscon

Conclusion
The data don’t support the hypothesis because
on the data I found that Rennies was the fastest
while on the hypothesis I put that Gaviscon was
the fastest. But the data supports my background
research because I found that Gaviscon forms a
protective layer that floats on top of the contents
of your stomach so instead of mixing with the
acid and the universal indicator, it stays on the
top. The data is not exactly correct because we
need to do the experiment at least five times for
each type of indigestion tablet while we did it only
three times for each type of indigestion tablet.
Evaluation

Problem: solution:
We did the experiment Next time, we will do
only three times for the experiment at least
each type of five times for each type
indigestion tablet. of indigestion tablet.
We didn’t have enough Next time, we will wait
time for the Gaviscon til it turns out yellow.
indigestion tablet, so
we stopped at 8 mins
before it got yellow.
We didn’t have enough Next time we will do
data. the experiment more
times to be sure of our
results and to have
enough data.
Bibliography
www.netdoctor.co.uk/medicines/digestion/a67
93/gaviscon/ www.aafp.org/news/health-of-
the-public/20100223maalox.html
https://www.aafp.org/news/health-of-the-
public/20100223maalox.html
https://www.rennie.ie/product-
range/spearmint/
https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/pharma
cology-toxicology-and-pharmaceutical-
science/gaviscon
https://reverehealth.com/live-
better/understanding-antacids-work/
https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/gaviscon/