Does 3% hydrogen peroxide work for elephant toothpaste?

What is Elephant Toothpaste? This large demonstration uses hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), sodium iodide (NaI) and soap. That is usually 3% hydrogen peroxide, and your local salon probably uses 6%. The 30% hydrogen peroxide is not something you would put on a cut or scrape, but it works perfectly for this demonstration.

Can I use 12% hydrogen peroxide for elephant toothpaste?

Take an empty 2 Liter Soda bottle and using caution add 1 cup of 40 Volume (12%) Hydrogen Peroxide using a funnel. Add a few squirts of Dawn Dish Soap . Swirl gently.

Can elephant toothpaste hurt you?

This substance is severely corrosive to the skin, eyes, and respiratory tract. Sodium iodide is slightly toxic by ingestion. Given these safety precautions, it’s best to leave this one to the experts. Just befriend a chemistry teacher and ask her to perform the famous Exploding Toothpaste experiment.

Can you pour elephant toothpaste down the sink?

The chemical reaction in elephant toothpaste occurs between the yeast and the hydrogen peroxide. Note for parents: Elephant toothpaste is safe to rinse down the drain when finished.

What strength hydrogen peroxide do you need for elephant toothpaste?

What You’ll Need: A clean 16-oz plastic soda bottle. 1/2 cup 20-volume hydrogen peroxide liquid (20-volume is a 6% solution; you can get this from a beauty supply store or hair salon) 1 Tablespoon (one packet) of dry yeast.

Why can you not touch elephant toothpaste?

Can I touch the foam? The reaction typically breaks down the hydrogen peroxide so you are left with mostly just soapy water and yeast. There can, however, be un-reacted peroxide which could irritate skin and eyes. For that reason, it is recommended you do not touch the foam.

Is it safe to touch elephant’s toothpaste?

It is safe to touch because all that foam is just soap, water and oxygen. Let your kids have some fun with the foam too. Just be sure to have a towel handy!

Is Elephant Toothpaste Safe?

The “Elephant Toothpaste” experiment is one that everyone will enjoy, and it does not cost much to do it. It’s a relatively easy experiment and ultimately safe to do, as long as you wear goggles and gloves for managing the hydrogen peroxide, and step back when the reaction occurs!

Why does elephant toothpaste work?

What makes the foam appear? When the hydrogen peroxide comes into contact with the yeast it starts breaking down into water and oxygen. Oxygen is a gas and therefore wants to escape the liquid. The dish soap that you added to your reaction, however, traps these gas bubbles, forming a foam.

Is Elephant toothpaste endothermic or exothermic?

The oxygen-filled bubbles, which make up the foam, are actually the remainder of what happens when the hydrogen peroxide breaks down into water and oxygen. The bottle felt warm to the touch because this was an exothermic reaction in which energy is given off in the form of heat.

How do you make elephant toothpaste?

Elephant’s Toothpaste. 30% hydrogen peroxide is added to a glass cylinder containing a concentrated aqueous mixture of potassium iodide and dishwashing soap. The iodide ion catalyzes the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide, generating oxygen gas which causes the soap to foam up and shoot up out of the cylinder. Curriculum Notes.

What is the chemical equation for toothpaste reaction elephant toothpaste?

Elephant Toothpaste Chemistry. The overall equation for this reaction is: 2 H2O2(aq) → 2 H2O(l) + O2(g) However, the decomposition of the hydrogen peroxide into water and oxygen is catalyzed by the iodide ion.

What is eleelephant toothpaste experiment Fast Facts?

Elephant Toothpaste Experiment Fast Facts. This demonstration illustrates exothermic reactions, chemical changes, catalysis, and decomposition reactions. Usually the demo is performed less to discuss the chemistry and more to raise interest in chemistry. It is one of the easiest and most dramatic chemistry demonstrations available.