Elephant Toothpaste
Small Reaction:
30 ml hydrogen peroxide 30%
30 ml potassium iodide 0.5 mol
10 ml dishwashing liquid
250 ml volumetrix flask
Big reaction (foam shoots out of the flask!)
30 ml hydrogen peroxide 50%
30 ml potassium iodide 1 mol
10 ml dishwashing liquid
250 ml volumetrix flask
Other equipment needed:
disposable gloves (hydrogen peroxide can stain your hands and is an irritant)
shallow tray (to capture the foam)
wooden splint and lighter (to prove presence of oxygen)
INSTRUCTIONS:
30 ml hydrogen peroxide 30%
30 ml potassium iodide 0.5 mol
10 ml dishwashing liquid
250 ml volumetrix flask
Big reaction (foam shoots out of the flask!)
30 ml hydrogen peroxide 50%
30 ml potassium iodide 1 mol
10 ml dishwashing liquid
250 ml volumetrix flask
Other equipment needed:
disposable gloves (hydrogen peroxide can stain your hands and is an irritant)
shallow tray (to capture the foam)
wooden splint and lighter (to prove presence of oxygen)
INSTRUCTIONS:
- Pour the potassium iodide and soap into the flask.
- Set the flask on the shallow tray.
- Pour the hydrogen peroxide into the flask. It takes about 20 seconds for the small reaction to take place and about 3 seconds for the big reaction to take place.
- Light the splint, blow out the flame, and then insert into the flask or into the bubbles. The splint should re-light because the reaction produces oxygen.