Making elephant toothpaste is a fun experiment you can do with your kids at home or with your students in the lab. Elephant toothpaste is a chemical reaction that produces a huge bubble of foam. The movement resembles toothpaste coming out of a tube and is large enough to be used as elephant toothpaste.
Concentrated solutions of hydrogen peroxide (more than 3%) are strong oxidizing agents. This liquid can whiten the skin and cause burns. Do not attempt to use it without proper safety precautions and adult supervision. Have fun, but be careful!
Ingredients
Home Version
- 1/2 cup Volume 20 liquid hydrogen peroxide (Volume 20 is a 6% hydrogen peroxide solution that you can find at beauty stores or hair salons)
- 1 tablespoon dry yeast
- 3 tablespoons of warm water
- Liquid hand soap
- Food coloring
- Bottles of various shapes
Laboratory Version
- Food coloring (optional)
- Liquid detergent
- 30% hydrogen peroxide (H202)
- Saturated potassium iodide (KI) solution
- 1 liter measuring cup
Step
Part 1 of 3: Setting Up Experiments
Step 1. Look for equipment available at home
You don't need to buy special laboratory equipment to carry out this experiment as most of the equipment you can find at home. Make a list of the equipment that is already available and check what improvements you can make to replace the equipment that is not yet available. For example, if you don't have 6% hydrogen peroxide, you can use 3% hydrogen peroxide.
Step 2. Spend enough time setting up the experiment, conducting the experiment, and cleaning the area
Keep in mind that this experiment can make a room messy. So tell everyone involved that they should join in the cleaning. Give everyone time to participate and enjoy the experiment.
Step 3. Limit the overflow area
This experiment is a lot of fun no matter your age, but kids often get carried away. Wherever you are experimenting (in the bath, in the field, or using a baking sheet or plastic trash can), minimize the cleaning process by limiting the spill area.
Step 4. Determine the amount of hydrogen peroxide
The amount of hydrogen peroxide will determine how much foam will form. You may have 3% hydrogen peroxide in the medicine cabinet. You can also get 6% hydrogen peroxide at beauty stores. Generally 6% concentration is not available in grocery stores or pharmacies. Beauty shops sell 6% hydrogen peroxide as a bleaching agent.
Part 2 of 3: Experimenting
Step 1. Mix 3 tablespoons of water with yeast and let it sit
You can let your children do this step. Let them measure the yeast and add the right amount of warm water. Have your child stir until the yeast clumps are completely dissolved.
Depending on your child's age, you can ask them to use cute spoons and stirrers. You can also ask them to wear protective goggles and a lab coat. Protective eyewear for children can be found at hardware stores
Step 2. Add dish soap, food coloring, and half a glass of hydrogen peroxide to the bottle
Make sure everyone wears protective eyewear and gloves before handling hydrogen peroxide. Do not allow your child to handle hydrogen peroxide unless they are of age.
- If your child is too young, ask him to squirt laundry soap and food coloring into the bottle. You can also add glitter to make this activity even more fun. Make sure the glitter is made of plastic, not metal. Peroxides should not be used in conjunction with metals.
- Stir the solution or have your child do it when he is old enough. Make sure the hydrogen peroxide doesn't spill.
Step 3. Pour the yeast mixture through the funnel into the bottle
Quickly step back and remove the funnel. You can let your child pour the yeast. However, if your child is young, don't let him stand too close to avoid spilling the solution in the bottle. Use a short bottle with a wide bottom for stability. Make sure the neck is narrow enough to enhance the burst effect.
- The fungus in yeast makes hydrogen peroxide break down and release oxygen molecules. Yeast will react like a catalyst because this material makes hydrogen peroxide release oxygen molecules. The oxygen molecules that are released are in the form of gases. When the gas meets the soap, it forms soft foam bubbles and the rest remains in the form of water. The gas will find its way out and “toothpaste” foam bubbles will gush out of the bottle.
- Make sure the yeast and hydrogen peroxide are properly mixed to create the optimal effect.
Step 4. Change the size and shape of the bottle
If you choose a smaller bottle with a narrower neck, you will create a stronger burst of foam. Try different sizes and shapes of bottles for a bigger effect.
If you use a standard soda bottle and 3% hydrogen peroxide, you'll get a bursting effect like a chocolate fountain
Step 5. Feel the heat
Notice how the foam generates heat. This chemical reaction is known as an exothermic reaction. This reaction produces heat. The heat released is not harmful. You can touch and play with the foam. The foam that comes out only consists of water, soap and oxygen so it is not toxic.
Step 6. Clean
You can use a sponge to clean the experimental area and pour the remaining solution down the drain. If you used glitter, strain it and throw it in the trash before pouring the solution down the drain.
Part 3 of 3: Adapting Experiments for the Laboratory
Step 1. Put on gloves and protective eyewear
The concentrated hydrogen peroxide used in this experiment will burn the skin and eyes. This solution can also fade the color of the fabric. So, choose your clothes carefully.
Step 2. Pour 50 ml of 30% hydrogen peroxide into a 1 liter measuring cup
This hydrogen peroxide is tougher than what you're used to at home. Make sure you handle it with care and place the measuring cup in a stable location.
Step 3. Add 3 drops of food coloring
Play with food coloring for a fun effect. Create interesting patterns and color variations. To make streaky bubbles, tilt the measuring cup and drip food coloring on the side of the solution.
Step 4. Add about 40 ml of laundry soap and mix well
Add a little liquid laundry soap by pouring it into the solution on the sides of the measuring cup. You can also use powdered laundry soap, but make sure you mix it evenly.
Step 5. Add potassium iodide to the solution and hurry back
Using a spatula, add potassium iodide to create a chemical reaction. You can also dissolve potassium iodide in water in a small bottle before adding it to the solution. Large colored foam will come out of the measuring cup.
Step 6. Check the presence or absence of oxygen
Place a small smoldering stick near the foam and watch the fire expand as oxygen escapes from the foam.
Step 7. Clean
Drain the remaining solution down the drain using plenty of water. Make sure the smoldering wood is out and there is no fire. Cover and store hydrogen peroxide and potassium iodide.
Tips
- You may notice the chemical reaction produces heat. The chemical reaction is exothermic, meaning it releases energy.
- Keep your gloves on when disposing of elephant toothpaste. You can dump the foam and liquid into a drain or sewer.
- Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) will gradually dissolve naturally in water (H2O) and oxygen. However, you can speed up the process by adding a catalyst. Because hydrogen peroxide releases a lot of oxygen at once when mixed with detergent, tiny bubbles will form quickly.
Warning
- Elephant toothpaste can stain!
- The foam that comes out is called elephant toothpaste simply because of its shape. Do not put it in your mouth or swallow it.
- The foam will overflow quickly and suddenly especially in the laboratory version. Make sure this experiment is carried out on a surface that is washable and does not get dirty easily. Do not stand near bottles or cylinders when foam appears.
- This experiment cannot be carried out safely without goggles and protective gloves.
