Elephant toothpaste is a classic science demonstration that creates a giant foaming reaction using a few simple ingredients. The materials needed to make elephant toothpaste include:
Ingredients:
- 3% hydrogen peroxide
- Liquid dish soap
- Dry yeast (found in the baking section of the grocery store)
- Warm water
- Liquid food coloring (optional)
- Sodium iodide (NaI) (optional)
- Potassium permanganate (KMnO4) (optional)
- Manganese dioxide (MnO2) (optional)
- Potassium iodide (KI) (optional)
Materials:
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Safety glasses
- Large tub or tray to catch the foam, or outdoor location to do the experiment
- Different-shaped bottles or glasses (optional)
The reaction produces a large foamy mess that looks like toothpaste squirting out of a tube, but it is not toothpaste, so it should not be used for brushing teeth. The hydrogen peroxide decomposes rapidly in the presence of a catalyst, such as yeast, potassium permanganate, manganese dioxide, or potassium iodide, to produce water and oxygen gas. The oxygen gas gets trapped in the soap, which produces the big ball of foam.
Some positive aspects of elephant toothpaste include that it is a fun and engaging science demonstration that can be done with simple materials. However, some negative aspects include that hydrogen peroxide can irritate the eyes, and iodine can stain clothing and skin, so safety glasses should be worn, and contact with the foam should be avoided.
