CURRICULUM | SCIENCE | TECHNOLOGY | ENGINEERING | MATH
“Sometimes it is the people no one can imagine anything of, who do the things no one can imagine.” - Alan Turing
ELEPHANTS TOOTHPASTE
BY MADELYN PHAM
PURPOSE
Students will explore energy changes during chemical reactions.
MATERIALS
1-liter plastic soda bottle, Hydrogen peroxide (12%) (This is found at a store that sells hair care products. Ask for hydrogen peroxide that is labeled 40-volume. This is the same as a 12% solution.), Liquid dish soap, Food coloring, Package of dry yeast (found at the grocery store), Measuring spoons, Funnel, Construction paper, markers, and some creativity, Plastic tarp to cover the demonstration table
PROCEDURE
Use a funnel to add 4 ounces(120ml) of 40- volume hydrogen peroxide to the 1 liter soda bottle
Add a small amount of dish soap and some food coloring to the hydrogen peroxide in the bottle. Give the solution a swirl to mix the contents.
In another small cup, put an entire package of dry yeast along with 4 tablespoons of very warm water. Swirl the mixture carefully with a spoon. If the mixture is thick, add a little more warm water
Now pour the yeast mixture into the bottle and you’ll see the reaction happening instantly