Watch elephant toothpaste come foaming out of a bottle in this fun and simple science experiment for kids of all ages! This chemical reaction is really cool and easy to create.
Make sure that you protect yourself and your working surface during this experiment.High volume hydrogen peroxide can irritate skin and eyes, so we recommend wearing nitrile gloves and safety googles.
Find a clear 1 liter plastic water or soda bottle from your recycling bin and wash it out well.You'll also need a high rimmed baking tray or glass baking dish to contain the foam in this experiment. We recommend using a plastic tablecloth to protect your table as well.
To begin, pour the 12% hydrogen peroxide into the bottle. (You can use a funnel to make this easier.)
Add the liquid dish soap into the bottle as well.
Swirl the bottle gently to combine the two. (You can also stir with a wooden skewer.)
Step 3: Add food colouring to the bottle sides (OPTIONAL)
To create the toothpaste look, hold the bottle at a slight angle and add 3 drops of food colouring to the inside of the bottle opening. Then let the food colouring drip down the inside of the bottle in a straight line.
Once the food colouring has run all the way down the inside of the bottle, turn it around and add 3 drops of food colouring on the opposite side.
Repeat on the other two sides as well, adding lines of a different colour. We added drops of minty green and red food colouring to this bottle.
Step 4: Mix together the yeast and warm water
Add yeast and warm water to a measuring cup.
Stir with a fork to combine, or use a whisk.The yeast will clump up, so either keep stirring until it dissolves more into the water, or let it sit for a couple of minutes before stirring again.
Step 5: Combine the ingredients and watch the reaction!
Pour the liquid yeast mixture into the bottle as quickly as you can.Move your hand out of the way when you see the reaction reaching the top of the bottle.
Watch as the "toothpaste" shoots right out of the bottle opening! Note: You won't get the same height if you use 3% or 6% hydrogen peroxide. More on that below.
Continue observing the reaction until the foaming slows down.Your elephant toothpaste experiment is complete!