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Learn how to make Elephant Toothpaste at home with this fun and educational science experiment for kids. Discover the joy of chemistry by creating an exothermic reaction that produces a foamy explosion. Perfect for curious minds and family science days, with safety tips and step-by-step instructions.
May 15, 2024 · May 15, 2024. Who knew toothpaste could be so fun? While no actual toothpaste is produced, this experiment is an exciting and hands-on way to bring several science lessons to life. You’ll want to use some caution when performing it with kids.
Elephant Toothpaste is a chemical reaction that produces a rapid expansion of foam resembling an enormous stream of toothpaste, fitting for an elephant. It is a common educational demonstration used to showcase an exothermic reaction, in which a decomposition of hydrogen peroxide occurs.
2 days ago · Elephant Toothpaste is not something you’ll find in the bathroom cupboard, but rather in a science teacher’s toolkit. This foamy experiment serves as a visual spectacle that showcases the concepts of chemical reactions and catalysis. When you mix the right ingredients, including hydrogen peroxide, soap, and a catalyst like potassium iodide ...
- Why Is It called Elephant Toothpaste?
- How to Make Giant Elephant Toothpaste
- Kid-Friendly Elephant Toothpaste
- Is Elephant Toothpaste Safe to Touch?
- How Elephant Toothpaste Works
- References
First, you may wonder why the reaction has the name “elephant toothpaste.” It’s because the thick column of foam escaping a tube looks like toothpaste big enough for an elephant to use. Also, it’s a lot easier and more descriptive than calling the reaction “rapid decomposition of peroxide”. After all, the point of elephant toothpaste is engaging pe...
When you see videos of the world’s largest elephant toothpaste, you’re viewing the classic version of the demonstration.
The classic chemistry demonstration is for chemistry educators, but the kid-friendly elephant toothpasteis safe enough for parents and children to perform and touch. Also, this version uses easy-to-find ingredients.
You can handle the ingredients and the foam from the kid-friendly elephant toothpaste project. However, don’t touch either the ingredients or the foam from the classic giant elephant toothpaste. This is because the peroxide is concentrated enough to cause a chemical burn, while the giant toothpaste is hot enough to cause a thermal burn.
The basis for the elephant toothpaste display is the rapid decomposition of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). Hydrogen peroxide naturally decomposes into water and oxygen gas according to this chemical reaction: 2H2O2(l) → 2H2O(l) + O2(g) In a decomposition reaction, a larger molecule breaks down into two or more smaller molecules. The normally slow progre...
Dirren, Glen; Gilbert, George; Juergens, Frederick; Page, Philip; Ramette, Richard; Schreiner, Rodney; Scott, Earle; Testen, May; Williams, Lloyd. (1983). Chemical Demonstrations: A Handbook for Te...“Elephant’s Toothpaste.” University of Utah Chemistry Demonstrations. University of Utah.Hernando, Franco; Laperuta, Santiago; Kuijl, Jeanine Van; Laurin, Nihuel; Sacks, Federico; Ciolino, Andrés (2017). “Elephant Toothpaste”. Journal of Chemical Education. 94 (7): 907–910. doi:10.1021...IUPAC (1997). “Chemical decomposition”. Compendium of Chemical Terminology (the “Gold Book”) (2nd ed.). Oxford: Blackwell Scientific Publications.ISBN 0-9678550-9-8. doi:10.1351/goldbookOct 20, 2023 · Elephant toothpaste is such a fun and easy science experiment for kids! Explore this chemical reaction that has an exciting, foaming result -- which shoots right out of the bottle! You can set up this STEM activity for yourself in just a few minutes - you only need a few simple ingredients!
Background. The elephant toothpaste experiment is so dramatic because the reaction happens quickly. Hydrogen peroxide breaks down naturally over time, especially when exposed to light, but in this reaction the yeast causes that breakdown to happen much quicker.
