Elephant+Toothpaste+-+Angela

Elephant Toothpaste
 * Demonstration: **


 * Materials: **
 * 50-100 ml of 30% Hydrogen Peroxide Solution
 * Saturated Potassium Iodide Solution
 * Liquid Dishwashing Soap
 * Food Coloring (Blue or Green)
 * Garbage Bag
 * Cylinder
 * Gloves
 * Goggles
 * Water


 * Procedure: **
 * 1) Put on gloves and goggles.
 * 2) Cover the table with a garbage bag.
 * 3) Pour 50 mL of 30% hydrogen peroxide solution into the graduated cylinder.
 * 4) Squirt in a bit of dishwashing detergent and swirl it around.
 * 5) Add 5-10 drops of food coloring along the wall of the cylinder to make the foam look like toothpaste.
 * 6) Add 10 mL of potassium iodide solution with water into the cylinder. Do not lean over the cylinder when you do this, because you could get splashed or burned by steam.

2 H2O2(aq) --> 2 H2O(l) + O2(g) H2O2(aq) + I-(aq) --> OI-(aq) + H2O(l) H2O2(aq) + OI-(aq) --> I-(aq) + H2O(l) + O2(g)
 * Reactions: **
 * Overall Reaction –**
 * When the decomposition of the hydrogen peroxide into water and oxygen is catalyzed by the iodide ion –**

- In this demonstration, the hydrogen peroxide decomposes. It breaks down to form water and oxygen, which is what the foam is made of. So the soap bubbles that erupt from the cylinder are actually filled with oxygen. It is called decomposition because the peroxide 'decomposes' to make other compounds or elements. This can be seen in the chemical equation since there is one reactant on the left side and two products on the right side.
 * Explanation: **

- The soap was needed in the experiment since it contained the bubbles with oxygen in them, but the food coloring was not. The food coloring was used simply to make the foam look like toothpaste. Without the food coloring, the foam would be an orange color.

- The secret ingredient in this demonstration is the catalyst, potassium iodide. It speeds up the reaction without itself being directly affected. Without the catalyst, this reaction would be too slow to even see and there would be no foam.

- When the reaction takes place, there is visible steam rising. This means that the reaction is exothermic, or in other words, it gives off heat.

The hydrogen peroxide used in this experiment is different from the one that you may have at home. This one has a higher concentration, so it can actually burn your skin if you get it on you. That is why it is extremely important to wear gloves when dealing with this peroxide.
 * Practical Applications: **

=Helmenstine, Anne Marie. //Elephant Toothpaste Chemistry Demonstration.// About.com Guide. Web. 18 Feb. 2010. . =
 * Work Cited: **


 * - Angela L **