Elephant ToothpasteBy: Ashley Morgan

Purpose

• The purpose of this lab was to mix two solutions together and form a

foam fountain.

• When performing this experiment, just by changing one material can

give you similar results.

Funnel

• A tube or pipe that is wide at the top and narrow at the bottom.

• It is used for guiding a liquid into a small opening.

Catalyst

• A catalyst is a substance that increases the rate of a chemical reaction without undergoing any permanent chemical change.

• In simpler words:– Helps a reaction happen faster

– Yeast – Potassium Iodide

Exothermic

• Releases heat and causes the termperature of the immeidate surroundings to rise.

Procedure #1• In a 16 oz bottle mix – 8 drops of food coloring– 1 tablespoon of dish soap (dawn)– ½ a cup of 3% hydrogen peroxide– 3 tablespoons of water– 1 packet of dry yeast (red star)– Watch reaction

Reaction!

Observations• Hydrogen peroxide molecules are very

unstable and naturally decompose into water & oxygen gas.

Hydrogen Peroxide -> Water -> Oxygen

2H2O2 2H2O O2

Observations• The yeast acted as a catalyst to remove the

oxygen from the hydrogen peroxide.– Since it did this very fast, it created lots of

bubbles!• This solution had a scent of freshly baked

homemade bread.• Each tiny foam bubble is filled with oxygen.

Observations• The food coloring changed the foam to a red-

yellow color.• The experiment created a reaction called an

exothermic reaction.– That means it not only created foam but also heat

as well.– It also created bubbles, which is a gas.

Question #1• Why is warm water best to use in this

experiment?– Warm water is best for yeast because yeast is a

living organism that likes to live in similar temperatures to humants

– Put the yeast in hot water and it dies– Put the yeast in cold water and it will be too cold

to reproduce.

What is actually happening?• Hydrogen peroide is water with one extra

oxygen. • When yeast is added, it acts as a catalyst to split

the hydrogen peroxide into water & oxygen.• Bubbles of oxygen are trapped in the soap,

which transforms into the foam fountain.• The product formed is just soap, water, and

oxygen.

Procedure #2• Mix in a 16 oz bottle– 40 ml of dish soap (dawn)

– 80ml of 3% hydrogen peroxide– 1 tablespoon of potassium iodide

– 8 drops of food coloring– 3 tablespoons of warm water

– Watch reaction

Reaction!

Observations• The overall equation for this reaction is:

• The dishwashing detergent captures the oxygen as bubbles.

• Food coloring changed the foam to a blue-green color.

2H2O2 2H2O (liquid) O2 (gas)

Observations

• This had a soapy scent of apples due to the dishwashing soap.

• The experiment created an exothermic reaction as well.

– The bottle was warm as well.– Bubbles were produced.

Similarities Differences• The both started

producing foam right away once the hydrogen peroxide was added.

• The bottles was warm.• Bubbles were produced.

• Scents– Apples– Bread

• Potassium Iodide experiment looked watery rather than bubbly

Conclusion• This experiment used hydrogen peroxide and potassium idodie/yeast mixed with dish soap and

water. • If you add all these together, the hydrogen peroxide’s decomposion is sped up the catalyst.

• Oxygen is given off and forms foam with the dish soap.

• The foam pushes up in the bottle and comes out the top looking like toothpaste.

Works Cited• http://www.using-hydrogen-peroxide.com/elephant-toothpaste.html

• http://chemistry.about.com/od/chemistrydemonstrations/a/elephanttooth.htm

• http://www.sciencebob.com/experiments/toothpaste.php

• http://www.wikihow.com/Make-Elephant-Toothpaste