Elephant toothpaste is a captivating science demonstration that creates a large, foamy eruption, resembling a gigantic tube of toothpaste being squeezed. This popular experiment offers a visually impressive display with its rapid production of foam. The reaction generates a significant amount of foam that overflows from its container. It is a favorite for its dramatic effect and simple ingredients.
Gather Your Materials
To begin this exciting experiment, gather a few common household items and safety gear. Obtain a clean plastic bottle, such as an empty soda bottle. You will also need 1/2 cup of 3% hydrogen peroxide, readily available at most pharmacies. While higher concentrations (like 6% or 12%) create a more dramatic effect, they require increased caution and adult supervision.
Gather about one tablespoon of liquid dish soap, which helps trap the gas produced during the reaction, and a few drops of food coloring if you wish to add color to your foam. Additionally, you will need one packet (about 1 tablespoon) of active dry yeast and three tablespoons of warm water. For safety, wear safety goggles and gloves throughout the experiment, as hydrogen peroxide can irritate the skin and eyes. Place the bottle in a large tray or basin to contain any overflow, as the reaction can be messy.
Simple Steps to Create Elephant Toothpaste
The process of creating elephant toothpaste is straightforward. First, carefully pour the 1/2 cup of hydrogen peroxide into your plastic bottle. An adult should handle this step, especially if using concentrations higher than 3%, due to potential skin and eye irritation. Next, add a generous squirt of liquid dish soap to the hydrogen peroxide inside the bottle.
If you desire a colorful eruption, add a few drops of food coloring into the mixture. You can gently swirl the bottle to mix these ingredients. In a separate small bowl or cup, combine the packet of active dry yeast with the three tablespoons of warm water. Stir this yeast mixture until the yeast dissolves and activates.
When you are ready for the reaction, quickly pour the activated yeast mixture into the bottle containing the hydrogen peroxide and soap. Step back immediately and observe as the foam rapidly erupts from the bottle. The foam produced can be warm due to the nature of the reaction, so avoid direct contact until it has cooled.
Understanding the Reaction
The foam created in the elephant toothpaste experiment is the result of a chemical reaction. Hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) naturally breaks down into water (H₂O) and oxygen gas (O₂) over time. This decomposition process, however, is very slow. The yeast plays a key role as a catalyst, a substance that significantly speeds up a chemical reaction without being consumed itself.
The yeast contains an enzyme called catalase, which accelerates the breakdown of hydrogen peroxide into oxygen gas and water. As the oxygen gas is rapidly produced, the dish soap present in the mixture traps these gas bubbles. This trapping action leads to the formation of a large volume of foam that expands out of the container. The reaction also releases energy in the form of heat, making it an exothermic process.