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.