Monday, August 04, 2014

elephant toothpaste

another fun science experiment

elephant toothpaste

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what you need:

1/2 cup 20-volume hydrogen peroxide liquid 
(20-volume is a 6% solution, which can be found at a beauty supply store or hair salon)
1 Tablespoon of dry yeast
3 Tablespoons of warm water
Liquid dish washing soap
Food coloring

note: we used regular hydrogen peroxide, if you use the 6% the liquid will come out even more foamier.


*please make sure that if you use the 6% kind, it is a lot stronger and 
you will need safety goggles and gloves when you do this experiment


pour hydrogen peroxide into a small soda bottle
add 8-10 drops of food coloring
add about a tablespoon of liquid dish soap
swish it all around

in a small bowl or cup
mix the water and yeast together

then head outside.....


pour the yeast mixture into the bottle and stand back.





how it works:

the yeast acts as a catalyst, which makes the peroxide molecule release the oxygen atom faster. 
the reaction creates a foam that shoots up out of the bottle, as it begins to flow out of the bottle, it looks like toothpaste being squeezed from a tube.  
the bottle will feel warm to touch - this is caused by an exothermic reaction.





foamy fun....feels like shaving cream.


a bit of a warning, it will stain your clothes, so make sure you wear old play clothes or a smock.



2 comments:

Jolene said...

I cannot imagine any boy who would not enjoy this experiment!!!!

Charlene Juliani said...

LOL, he has been having so much fun with these little experiments. I have too :)