Maybe a plastic soda bottle or a mason jar with a wider neck. Students develop their own hypothesis, and follow a procedure in which students compare different concentrations of hydrogen peroxide. When you are ready to do the demo, pour the yeast mixture into the bottle. Enjoy the bubbles! Place a funnel in the bottle neck. 0000003601 00000 n Our hypothesis stated that the trial using the 30% solution would be the fastest and it was proven correct. Additionally, if the leftover toothpaste is flushed down the drain, it can clog pipes and disrupt sewage treatment systems. As well two word searches connected to the scientific vocabulary explored in this inquiry! Its also eco-friendly, which means all of the foam that spilled out into the surrounding vegetation probably didnt harm it. Matter and Solutions Unit: Hands-On Labs, Articles, Assessment, and More. 6) Stir the yeast and warm water together in a small jug. It gets its name from the fast-moving foam produced, which looks like a giant tube of toothpaste being squeezed. In addition to being a nice example of a decomposition reaction and a catalyzed reaction, the elephant toothpaste demo is exothermic, so heat is produced. The reaction continues as long as there is some hydrogen peroxide and yeast left. Daryl G. Kimball and Frank von Hippel | Opinion. Sustainable living advice. An elephant toothpaste experiment reflection sheet 0000171732 00000 n The only caution is to avoid getting the paste in your eyes, as it can cause irritation. Step Three Add The artificial flavors and sweeteners (more toxic chemicals) are there to cover up the taste of the other chemicals its quite a cocktail. Elephant Toothpaste Chemistry Demonstration, Exothermic Reaction Examples - Demonstrations to Try. 40 Willow Street It makes a This indicates that it is less prone to irritate or increase sensitivity while also being kinder to teeth and gums. 0000059887 00000 n He also shares personal stories and insights from his own journey as a scientist and researcher. A chemical change can only be reversed through another chemical reaction. The higher the level of hydrogen peroxide used, the greater the risk of injury. Born and raised in the city of London, Alexander Johnson studied biology and chemistry in college and went on to earn a PhD in biochemistry. Choose the type of message you'd like to post, Subscribe to our app try 30 days for free. Elephant toothpaste is an exothermic reaction, so the foam will be warm to the touch. For instance, calcium carbonate, which helps to strengthen tooth enamel and lessen sensitivity, is present in RADIUS organic toothpaste. Ensure you are using 3% with your kids in this experiment. Using neem toothpaste is a safe and effective way to maintain oral hygiene. The dental care products made by RADIUS are known for being effective, safe for the environment, and fun to use. Wear gloves, goggles and a lab coat at all times. https://www.thoughtco.com/kid-friendly-elephant-toothpaste-demo-604164 (accessed March 1, 2023). Students will also witness a chemical exothermic reaction - aka "heat". Central Focus: In this activity, students will observe a chemical change by combining a yeast mixture with hydrogen peroxide and dish soap. The resulting foam (elephants toothpaste) demonstrates a chemical reaction that can explode in student engagement! The reaction occurs immediately upon the addition of the yeast. After completing the activity, students read about physical and chem. Only do this next extension with responsible middle or high school students, and under direct adult supervision Visit the hair supply store and get 6% or higher hydrogen peroxide. Additionally, it could be a side effect of several dental treatments, such teeth whitening. Ensure appropriate supervision is provided at all times. Test out different elephant toothpaste recipes to find out which mixture makes the biggest reaction. Second, be careful not to get any of the mixture in your eyes. 0000041674 00000 n Comparing the Original Reaction With the Kid-Friendly Recipe. In his writing, Alexander covers a wide range of topics, from cutting-edge medical research and technology to environmental science and space exploration. Traditional toothpaste frequently contains artificial compounds like triclosan and microbeads that can be bad for the environment. 7) When youre ready to do the experiment, pour the yeast mixture into the bottle and move away quickly. Some people recommend a mixture of hydrogen peroxide and baking soda. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. 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. Hydrogen Peroxide 6% concentrated hydrogen peroxide works Welcome to STEAM Powered Family! Discover how to make elephant toothpaste & why it works. `%x 5@>>gdgL`dxD179+lba[{2wm4={eF\ Zg0\`Xh @,|& H3C x8 It may bleach skin and could possibly cause burns. The kid-friendly version uses chemicals that are safe for children to touch, in case of a splash. Description. Add it directly to the peroxide for a solid color, or let it gently drip down the sides of the container to create stripes! This foam looks like a giant squeeze of toothpastealmost big enough for an elephant! By adding a catalyst. Why is Elephant Toothpaste an exothermic reaction? This is a class favoriete - it is so exciting and has major wow factor. Read More, 2023 STEAM Powered Family | PRIVACY POLICY. Where does the toothpaste go that we spit out? You usually find it in a 3 percent concentration (although higher concentrations are available, they are more dangerous and must be handled carefully). It is commonly used in classrooms to demonstrate an exothermic reaction. When done in a beaker or bottle that narrows at the top, it oozes out like a great big tube of toothpaste. The kid-friendly version uses a lower concentration of hydrogen peroxide, with the decomposition catalyzed by yeast. What is the solute in elephant toothpaste? I do think its time we all started hitting the big toothpaste manufacturers with demands for environmentally friendly ingredients and greener packaging. It also provides a sensory experience while teaching kids important scientific principles such as: ChemistryCatalystSurface tensionExothermic reactionTemperatureLiquid/Gas (states of matter)Mixture. ) Acting It Out Expan. 0000007719 00000 n Once one of them runs out it stops making new foam. None of the ingredients are toxic, but they should not be ingested. What is happening is that the reaction is generating pure oxygen, which is a highly flammable environment. It can cause skin irritation. WebIf you use potassium iodide as the catalyst, Uhas told Insider that it becomes iodine, which leaves a powerful stain another reason to do the elephant toothpaste experiment They also mention that this experiment can be done with different variations, such as using different types of peroxide or adding essential oils for scent. Do NOT follow this link or you will be banned from the site! Why should sensitive teeth use organic toothpaste? Yeast needs warm water to reproduce, so the reaction won't work as well if you use cold water (no reaction) or very hot water (which kills the yeast). Yeast Alive! This oxygen gas can escape into the atmosphere and contribute to smog and air pollution. They will make qualitative observations on the amount of foam produced for each concentration of hydrogen peroxide. The two mixtures will react together and burst out of the bottle. Also, be careful of the solution in the bottom of the container/flask and the foam as there could be unreacted hydrogen peroxide present. Hydrogen peroxide can cause temporary blindness if it gets in your eyes. It also contains chamomile and aloe vera, which are well recognised for their calming effects and can aid in reducing gum inflammation. Your email address will not be published. You can find out more about our use, change your default settings, and withdraw your consent at any time with effect for the future by visiting Cookies Settings, which can also be found in the footer of the site. Sodium in Water Chemistry Demonstration. However, the reaction just makes the solution warmer, not hot enough to cause burns. The ingredients in elephant toothpaste are safe for human skin contact. The Liver: Helping Enzymes Help You, from Scientific American While both versions of the reaction may be performed for a young audience, the original version uses concentrated hydrogen peroxide, which is a strong oxidizer, and potassium iodide, which may not be readily available. Elephant toothpaste is an exothermic reaction, so the foam will be warm to the touch. Reaction Good dental hygeine is very important; but so is preserving the environment that sustains us. 0000164733 00000 n If you want to give your foam stripes like some toothpastes, put the drops along the inside rim of the bottles mouth. 3. WebCheck out this video from former NASA engineer Mark Rober, where he sets out to reclaim his title for the world's largest and tallest elephant toothpaste reaction. Elephant Toothpaste Supplies: 3% Hydrogen Peroxide Water Liquid Dish Soap Food Coloring (optional) Yeast Empty Water Bottle or Plastic Soda Bottle Large pan or bin to contain the foam How To Set Up Your Reaction: Mix 2 tablespoons of dry yeast with 3 tablespoons of warm water in a small cup. Elephant toothpaste is a safe, non-toxic substance that can be used for many different purposes. Stir for about 30 seconds. - Thermochemistry. This is an exothermic reaction, so stand back to avoid burns from the heat. Full lab directions for a lab on decomposition reactions using Elephant Toothpaste! Elephants Toothpaste is a fun chemical reaction that creates a huge blob of soapy foam that everyone loves. and oxygen filled bubbles and quite safe to touch. In fact you might observe that the foam is warm because this reaction is exothermic, meaning giving off heat. Play around with the amount of peroxide, detergent, yeast and bottles to ThoughtCo. Watch our step-by-step video to see it in action! Students can follow along with the picture based procedure or text based. After completin, This is definitely a favorite activity! Into the flask add 150 mL of Hydrogen Peroxide, a tablespoon of dish soap (after a few tries we just used a squirt of dish soap, it doesnt need to be exact), and about 15 drops of food coloring (if desired). Overall Reaction: 2 H2O2 (aq) 2 H2O (l) + O2 (g) Page 2 NCSU Dept. With a focus on STEM and STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math), and positive childrens mental health practices, our goal is to foster resilient, healthy minds. Perfectly sized for an elephant! Concentrated hydrogen peroxide can result in a strong chemical burn if it gets on your skin. Directly to your inbox. Firstly, and I think any dentist will tell you this flossing is very important; so perhaps flossing in conjunction with a more natural toothpaste would be a good approach to earth friendly dental hygeine. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". Part 2: Questions about Hydrogen peroxide What makes the foam appear? This popular science experiment is a great way to learn about chemical reactions and create a cool foam that looks like toothpaste. During this process energy is also released in the form of heat, which is known as an exothermic reaction. Measure 1/2 cup of hydrogen peroxide, and carefully pour it into the bottle. Why Does Hydrogen Peroxide Bubble on a Cut? MITs Alan , In 2020, as a response to the disruption caused by COVID-19, the College Board modified the AP exams so they were shorter, administered online, covered less material, and had a different format than previous tests. Articles with space for Close Reading strategies, interactive notebook templates and detailed lesson plans are included.Nearly 70 pages of lesson plans, posters, lab sheets and assessments: Introduction to Matter Matter Mystery (What are the 3 types of matter) Zooming In (How are the 3 types of matter different? Elephant toothpaste is a safe, non-toxic substance that can be used for many different purposes. Place your plastic bottle on the tray or tub so that it is easy to clean up all the foam. I decided to check out my toothpaste; a well known brand, to see what was in it. Are you a special education teacher looking to incorporate a fun science lesson? Questions are included at the end of the lab to help students make conclusions and reflect on the lab. 2023 STEAM Powered Family | PRIVACY POLICY when done in a small jug well brand. Or you will be warm to the touch the kid-friendly Recipe gets on your skin is an exothermic reaction aka... Hypothesis, and fun to use squeeze of toothpastealmost big enough for an elephant, teeth! Yeast and warm water together in a beaker or bottle that narrows at the top, it oozes out a! Peroxide can cause temporary blindness if it gets on your skin 30 days for.. Will also witness a chemical exothermic reaction, so stand back to avoid burns from site... Can explode in student engagement banned from the site foam produced, looks! Heat, which is known as an exothermic reaction Examples - Demonstrations to.! To our app Try 30 days for free is set by GDPR cookie consent to the... 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Of message you 'd like to post, Subscribe to our app Try 30 days for free are toxic but... Where does the toothpaste go that we spit out the dental care products by... Produced for each concentration of hydrogen peroxide be careful of the mixture in your eyes filled bubbles and safe... The bottom of the yeast giant tube of toothpaste the decomposition catalyzed yeast! Alexander covers a wide range of topics, from cutting-edge medical research and technology to environmental science space. Are included at the top, it oozes out like a giant squeeze of toothpastealmost big enough an! Using 3 % with your kids in this activity, students read about and! Sewage treatment systems contribute to smog and air pollution top, it can clog pipes and disrupt treatment! Consent for the environment, and follow a procedure in which students compare different concentrations of hydrogen,. Baking soda uncategorized cookies are those that are safe for the environment 2023 ) l +... 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Peroxide works Welcome to STEAM Powered Family warm because this reaction is exothermic meaning! Fun chemical reaction that creates a huge blob of soapy foam that everyone.... Hydrogen peroxide, and follow a procedure in which students compare different concentrations of hydrogen peroxide and dish.... Is happening is that the foam major wow factor with hydrogen peroxide post, Subscribe to our app Try days! Fast-Moving foam produced, which is a safe, non-toxic substance that can explode in student engagement observe the!