6 Demonstration: Elephant’s Toothpaste
Supplies:
Tray or small tub
Graduated cylinder or small clear soda bottle
Small cup for mixing
1/2 cup 3% hydrogen peroxide
Dish soap
Food coloring (optional)
1 tbsp yeast
3 tbsp warm water
Question: What do you think will happen when we add yeast to hydrogen peroxide?
Directions: Add yeast and warm water to small cup and swirl for 30 seconds. Place small bottle in tray or tub to catch the overflow. Add hydrogen peroxide to bottle and a big squeeze of dish soap. Add food coloring and swirl. Add the yeast mixture and stand back. The reaction should rapidly foam and overflow out the top.
Theory: When the yeast mixes with the hydrogen peroxide, oxygen and water are produced. The oxygen is trapped in the soap, creating bubbles.
Grades: 1st – 4th
Time: 5 minutes
Clean Up: All contents can go down the drain.
Notes and Hints: Use fresh yeast. If foaming does not happen, have baking soda and vinegar on hand to put in the bottle. A similar reaction should occur.
Image Credit: https://teachbesideme.com/elephant-toothpaste/
Media Attributions
- elephant