Elephant toothpaste is a foamy substance caused by the rapid decomposition of hydrogen peroxide (span{display:block}.mw-parser-output sub.template-chem2-sub{font-size:80%;vertical-align:-0.35em}.mw-parser-output sup.template-chem2-sup{font-size:80%;vertical-align:0.65em}]]>H2O2) using potassium iodide (IK) or yeast and hot water as a catalyst. [1] The rate at which the reaction takes place depends on the concentration of hydrogen peroxide. [2] [3] [4] This demonstration is called elephant toothpaste because the chemical reaction creates a big foamy mess that looks like toothpaste splashing from a tube. It is so large that only an elephant could use such a large toothpaste. It`s not toothpaste, of course, so don`t try to brush your teeth with it! The kid-proof version below is harmless, but certainly wouldn`t taste very good. If an elephant used toothpaste, it would probably look like this! Learn about chemical reactions by watching this heat-generating mixture bubble and overflow for half an hour. The experience comes from Nat Geo`s book Kids Try This! Extreme. Since it requires only a small number of ingredients and forms a “moss volcano,” it`s a popular experience for kids at school or parties. The experiment is also known as the “marshmallow experiment,” but has nothing to do with the Stanford marshmallow psychological experiment. Approximately 50 ml of concentrated hydrogen peroxide (>12%)[5] is first mixed with liquid soap or dishwashing detergent. Then a catalyst, often about 10 ml of potassium iodide solution or baker`s yeast catalase, is added to cause the hydrogen peroxide to break down very quickly. Hydrogen peroxide breaks down into oxygen and water. As a small amount of hydrogen peroxide produces a large amount of oxygen, oxygen quickly comes out of the container.

[6] Soapy water captures oxygen, creates bubbles and turns into foam. [6] About 5 to 10 drops of food coloring could also be added before the catalyst to dramatize the effect. The rate at which the reaction takes place depends on the concentration of hydrogen peroxide used. [7] When oxygen escapes from the reaction, bubbles form. The cleaning agent accelerates the formation of foam. The reaction is “exothermic,” meaning it produces both heat and steam. Since you can`t get this material at home, we have a Kids Safe version of this demo that you can do at home or in class! Do this at your next family home evening, sleep party or birthday party. It`s fun, safe, and cool to watch. The cool thing about this activity is that the enzyme catalase is also found in potatoes, dogs and even us! We have the same enzyme in our body. That`s why you see the 3% hydrogen peroxide bubble when you put it on a cut or scratch. The oxygen released kills germs on average.

We have this enzyme because we naturally produce small amounts of hydrogen peroxide as a byproduct of oxidative metabolism (the way a cell gains useful energy). Our cells need energy, but small amounts of hydrogen peroxide are produced and must be neutralized by enzymes such as catalase. WARNING: This experiment uses chemicals that can irritate skin and damage clothing, so be sure to use goggles, a lab apron, and nitrile gloves. Avoid touching or getting chemicals on skin or clothing. And don`t get too close, as heat and steam can be dangerous. DON`T FORGET THE SAFETY EQUIPMENT: GOGGLES, LABORATORY APRON, NITRILE GLOVES This experiment shows the catalyzed decomposition of hydrogen peroxide. Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) breaks down into water and oxygen gas, which is in foam form, but the reaction is usually too slow to be easily perceived or measured:[2] The hydrogen peroxide used in the demonstration is composed of 30% hydrogen peroxide. That`s 10 times stronger than the hydrogen peroxide you have in your medicine cabinet. It`s usually 3% hydrogen peroxide, and your local salon probably uses 6%.

30% hydrogen peroxide isn`t something you`d put on a cut or scratch, but it works perfectly for this demonstration. Sodium iodide reacts with hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) by removing one oxygen atom. This essentially produces water and oxygen gas (H2O + O2). The oxygen gas produced is trapped in the soap that creates the large foam ball. The reaction produces gaseous oxygen, water and iodine. That is why the foam has a yellow color. If you touched this foam, your hand would be colored yellow, as if you were putting iodine on your skin. In measuring cups, beakers or plastic cups, mix yeast and warm water.

Combine with a plastic spoon. Yeast contains an enzyme called catalase that breaks down hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in oxygen gas and water. The oxygen gas is trapped by the soap, and you get a great foamy solution that splashes the top of the bottle! Pour the yeast mixture into the soda bottle and remove the funnel. YouTube science host Mark Rober created a variation of the experiment called “Devil`s Toothpaste,” which has a much more pronounced response than the version usually done in class. [11] [12] The exact details of this beverage have not been revealed. Prepare the yeast solution by adding dry yeast to the hot water and wait a few minutes for it to become foamy. The reaction is exothermic; The foam produced is hot. [specify] [2] [3] A light rail can be used to show that the gas produced is oxygen. [9] The foam formation rate measured by volume per unit time is positively correlated with the peroxide concentration (v/V), which means that the more reagents (peroxide concentration), the faster the foam formation rate. [10] Pour 2 inches of hydrogen peroxide (3%) into the bottle. The usual elephant toothpaste is soap and hydrogen peroxide, so no, not edible (strictly speaking).

There are foaming agents that are edible. Lecithin comes to mind, but molecular food geeks probably have a little more. Then you just need something to add bubbles – either mechanical action or baking soda/vinegar will do. Perioxide will also work, but you don`t really want to eat the things unbroken down. UM, DID YOU SEE THE WARNING ABOVE? Check it again! Hydrogen peroxide normally breaks down (breaks down into individual elements), and its combination with detergent and yeast (a catalyst) speeds up the process. Under normal conditions, this reaction takes place very slowly, so a catalyst is added to accelerate the reaction, resulting in rapid foam formation. The potassium iodide ion acts as a catalyst and accelerates the reaction while remaining chemically unchanged in the reaction process. [2] [3] [8] Iodide ion changes the mechanism by which the reaction occurs: WARNING: If you missed it the first time, avoid touching or getting the chemicals on the skin or clothing. And don`t get too close, as heat and steam can be dangerous. Our EXTREME scientists demonstrate elephant toothpaste at our Extreme Science Theatre on the lower level of the Science Centre. So, if you want to see him again, come in! This large demonstration uses hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), sodium iodide (NaI) and soap. First we pour the hydrogen peroxide, then the soap and finally the sodium iodide.

Not really; Bubbles are formed by detergents. Even if the reaction products are water and oxygen, you cannot exclude the presence of residual hydrogen peroxide. Which is basically bleach. You also don`t want to take potassium iodide catalyst specifically.