Elephant Toothpaste ~ Science Experiment

PLEASE, DO NOT EAT THE TOOTHPASTE!

This science experiment is one the the most mesmerizing science experiments you can do. I don't know what it is about it, but I can sit and watch it for a long time, almost like in a trance. haha

The kids love this! Well, my kids love just about any science experiment! This one however, is a favorite of ours.

Isn't that beautiful?!? Okay, let's get down to the details.

You will need:

* a cake dish or something similar

* a glass bottle

* funnel

* small bowl

* safety goggles

* rubber gloves

* 2 tbsp warm water

* 1 tsp yeast

* 5 drops fool coloring

* 1/2 cup 6% hydrogen peroxide (or higher, 3% peroxide at local grocery is not enough)

* squirt of dish soap

Place bottle inside dish.

In a small bowl mix 2 tbsp warm water with 1tsp yeast. Set aside for a few mins.

In glass bottle mix:

hydrogen peroxide (We used 30 volume because I picked it up at Sally's and that is what they had. You can get 20 volume on Amazon here : 20 Volume.)

Note: The peroxide can irritate the skin. Wearing rubber gloves is a good idea when pouring it into the bottle. We only had one glove, however, Asa is a bit older so we had him do the pouring.

food color (we like to make sure some food coloring gets on the sides of the glass bottle, this is what makes the darker lines appear in your elephant's toothpaste),

and a squirt of dish soap.

We did two bottles because we like double fun!

Now pour the yeast mixture into the bottle and be mesmerized.

The Science:

This reaction is summarized by this formula: 2 H2O2  -->  2 H2O + 02. Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) naturally breaks down into water and oxygen. Catalase (an enzyme in all living things, including yeast) speeds up the reaction.  Dish soap catches the oxygen and makes bigger bubbles and the food coloring makes it look cool.  The foam and bottle feel warm because the reaction is exothermic--it releases energy as heat.

Happy Happy Home Schooling! Happy Happy Science! Very Happy Kiddos!