What is elephant toothpaste explanation?

Elephant’s toothpaste is a foamy substance caused by the rapid decomposition of hydrogen peroxide using potassium iodide or yeast and warm water as a catalyst. How rapidly the reaction proceeds will depend on the concentration of hydrogen peroxide.

What is the science behind elephant toothpaste for kids?

The elephant’s toothpaste chemistry demonstration produces heated foam when chemicals are mixed. The original demonstration results from decomposition of hydrogen peroxide catalyzed by potassium iodide. The kid-friendly version uses a lower concentration of hydrogen peroxide, with the decomposition catalyzed by yeast.

How does the chemical reaction in elephant toothpaste work?

In this reaction, the hydrogen peroxide is catalyzed by the yeast to release the oxygen molecules. The foam is oxygen-filled bubbles that result from the hydrogen peroxide being broken down into water (H2O) and oxygen (O2). This reaction uses yeast as a catalyst.

Is the elephant toothpaste experiment a combustion reaction?

The reaction is an example of a decomposition reaction. With the aid of the potassium iodide or baker’s yeast as catalysts to speed up the reaction, the oxygen enters the soap bubbles causing the substance to quickly expand out of its container and overflow like squished toothpaste all over the table.

How is the experiment improved by removing the foam that forms from the yeast reacting with the hydrogen peroxide?

The foam you made is special because each tiny foam bubble is filled with oxygen. The yeast acted as a catalyst (a helper) to remove the oxygen from the hydrogen peroxide. Your experiment created a reaction called an Exothermic Reaction – that means it not only created foam, it created heat!

Is Elephant toothpaste harmful to the environment?

It’s also eco-friendly, which means all of the foam that spilled out into the surrounding vegetation probably didn’t harm it.

What causes elephant toothpaste to explode?

When hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) decomposes, it breaks down to form water (H2O) and oxygen (O2). The soap bubbles that erupt from the cylinder are actually filled with oxygen. You’ll notice that the foam has a brown tint.

Why does the elephant toothpaste reaction happen so fast?

The foam you made in this classic Elephant’s Toothpaste reaction is extra-special because each tiny foam bubble is filled with oxygen. The yeast acted as a catalyst; a catalyst is used to speed up a reaction. It quickly broke apart the oxygen from the hydrogen peroxide.

What type of reaction is performed with the elephant toothpaste demonstration?

Catalytic Decomposition of Hydrogen Peroxide by Potassium Iodide. Brief Description: Two solutions are mixed resulting in an eruption of foam resembling a huge stream of toothpaste. This is the classic “Elephant Toothpaste” reaction.

Is Elephant toothpaste exothermic or endothermic?

The oxygen-filled bubbles, which make up the foam, are actually the remainder of what happens when the hydrogen peroxide breaks down into water and oxygen. The bottle felt warm to the touch because this was an exothermic reaction in which energy is given off in the form of heat.

Is the elephant toothpaste experiment safe?

The Bottom Line The “Elephant Toothpaste” experiment is one that everyone will enjoy, and it does not cost much to do it. It’s a relatively easy experiment and ultimately safe to do, as long as you wear goggles and gloves for managing the hydrogen peroxide, and step back when the reaction occurs!

What is the hypothesis of elephant toothpaste experiment?

Elephant toothpaste experiment. My hypothesis is that the reaction will have a greater production of bubbles when used with the 3 oz dish soap . This is my hypothesis because the dehydration of hydrogen peroxide produces oxygen, which makes the dish soap foam up.

What are the procedures for making elephant toothpaste?

Elephant Toothpaste Procedure Put on gloves and safety glasses. Pour ~50 mL of 30\% hydrogen peroxide solution into the graduated cylinder. Squirt in a little dishwashing detergent and swirl it around. You can place 5-10 drops of food coloring along the wall of the cylinder to make the foam resemble striped toothpaste. Add ~10 mL of potassium iodide solution.

What are the results of elephant toothpaste?

The elephant’s toothpaste chemistry demonstration produces heated foam when chemicals are mixed. The original demonstration results from decomposition of hydrogen peroxide catalyzed by potassium iodide. Detergent solution captures gases to form the foam.

How to make elephants toothpaste?

– Step One Place your bottle in the center of a tray with sides. There will be a lot of foam and this will contain the mess. – Step Two Add a few squirts of dishsoap to the bottle Step Three Add ½ cup (4 oz.) of hydrogen peroxide to bottle. Gently swirl to mix. – Step Six Pour the yeast mixture through the funnel into the bottle. Give it a quick swirl then step back. BAM!