Elephant Toothpaste

So I decide to do the elephant toothpaste experiment last Saturday. There are many examples of this experiment done in labs and also using potassium iodide, not only is that stuff hard to get in an everyday shop but also very unsafe for little tikes. So a more kid -friendly version was needed. So instead of potassium iodide I get my mum hands on some dry yeast.

Oh yeah, that's the stuff! We begin the experiment per normal, get all the stuff ready and we pour all the ingredients into the bottle, stir a bit and wait for the fun.....
Nothing yet.
More waiting.
Go play.
More waiting.

ABSOLUTELY BUGGER ALL HAPPENED!!! Yeah sure there was a few bubbles but the experiment was a complete fail. So embarrassing. Do I need to tweak out all the measurements? Yes. Different yeast? More hydrogen peroxide? Maybe. Whatever the problem, filming failed hard. You can watch my fail here...

Failing elephant toothpaste

So here is the experiment that actually works quite well. I hope that you have better luck that I did at home. Don't be afraid though. Science is all about learning from your fails and doing it better next time. We are always learning!

Elephant toothpaste experiment.

1/2 cup of Hydrogen peroxide liquid (can be found at any chemist or hairdressing supplies shop)

3 baggies (or 3tbsp) of dry yeast. (however, if you can get your hands on some "wet yeast" that the bakers use, get a square of that. Works so much better!!)

Dishwashing soap (one squirt)

Food colouring

Hot water

soda bottle, clean and dry

plastic cup and spoon

tray for the bottle to be put into.

Goggles and some gloves (for the safety consious)

Please be advised that this experiment has a few dangerous products (the peroxide) and must use caution not to touch or eat the toothpaste.

Method:

1) Pour the hydrogen peroxide and dishwashing soap into the soda bottle and place onto the tray. Place a few drops of food colouring onto the top inner lip of the soda bottle.

2) In a plastic cup, place the yeast and hot water. Stir for 30 seconds till it makes a paste (that smells like feet)

3) Pour this yeast into the soda bottle and wait for the magic!!!

Dropping the science:

Each tiny bubble in the foam is filled with oxygen. The yeast acts as a catalyst to remove the oxygen from the hydrogen peroxide. Because this reaction is very quick, it creates bubbles/foams and heat. This is what's known as a exothermic reaction. If you feel the bottle after the foam stops forming, it feels hot. The foam may even steam!