Elephant Toothpaste

This is one of my favorite experiments and one of the first ones I ever did.  It is easy and the exothermic reaction is awesome!

MATERIALS:

16 oz empty plastic soda bottle

1/2 cup Hydrogen Peroxide 20 Volume (20-volume is 6% solution, purchased from a beauty supply store)

Squirt of Dawn dish detergent

3-4 drops of food coloring

1 teaspoon yeast dissolved in approximately 2 tablespoons very warm water

Cake pan with 2-inch sides

DIRECTIONS:

1- Pour 1/2 cup hydrogen peroxide, 1 squirt of dawn dish detergent, and 3-4 drops of the food coloring of your choice into the empty bottle.

2- Place the bottle onto a pan with higher sides to contact the toothpaste once the reaction has started.

3- Dissolve 1 tsp. yeast into 2 tablespoons warm water

4- Pour the yeast mixture into the bottle and watch the reaction.

WHAT HAPPENS?

The reaction causes foam to form and erupt out of the bottle.  Feel the bottle as it will heat up.  This is called an exothermic reaction.  The yeast makes the peroxide release oxygen faster causing the eruption and the heat. 

Go Science!