Elephant toothpaste
If an elephant used toothpaste, this is probably what it'd look like! Learn about chemical reactions by watching this heat-producing mixture bubble and overflow for up to half an hour. The experiment comes from pages of the Nat Geo Kids book Try This! Extreme.
DON'T FORGET YOUR SAFETY EQUIPMENT: safety goggles, lab apron, nitrile gloves
Step 1
Stand the soda bottle in a pan.
Step 2
Insert funnel in neck of soda bottle.
Step 3
Add ½ cup peroxide, detergent, and food coloring.
UM, DID YOU SEE THE WARNING ABOVE? Check it out again!
Step 4
In measuring cup, beaker, or plastic cup, combine yeast and warm water. Combine with plastic spoon.
Step 5
Pour yeast mixture into soda bottle and remove funnel.
WARNING: In case you missed it the first time, avoid touching or getting the chemicals on skin or clothing. And don't get too close, as heat and steam can be dangerous.
WHAT'S GOING ON
Hydrogen peroxide normally decomposes (breaks down into separate elements), and combining it with detergent and yeast (a catalyst) speeds up the process.
As the oxygen emanates from the reaction, it creates bubbles. The detergent speeds up the foaming. The reaction is "exothermic," meaning it produces heat as well as steam.
WARNING: This experiment uses chemicals that can irritate skin and damage clothes, so make sure to use safety goggles, lab apron, and nitrile gloves. Avoid touching or getting the chemicals on skin or clothing. And don't get too close, as heat and steam can be dangerous.