The expiration date also labeled Arew is the go-to source for all your home improvement, gardening, cooking, and family needs. This article was co-authored by Bess Ruff, MA. It takes less than 30 minutes to conduct the . Please be respectful of copyright. You Need: An empty soft drink bottle (600mL size works best) cup of 6% hydrogen peroxide solution (purchased from a hai The reaction is "exothermic," meaning it produces heat as well as steam. However, since the uprising of protests in the name of climate change, people's views of toothpaste have changed as well. Once the reaction is complete, the foam can be safely touched. In this experiment, we received a so-called elephant toothpaste. Using the funnel, carefully pour into the bottom of the bottle. Learn how your comment data is processed. The yeast acts as a catalyst as it causes the hydrogen peroxide molecule to release an oxygen molecule. A small amount of this toothpaste may not hurt, but when many people use it (which they do), it can have devastating effects on marine life. (and maybe some flame) left in the match. He combines it with three or more tablespoons of warm water in a separate small container, and mixes it for about 30 seconds, until the mixture has the consistency of "melted ice cream." Uhas told Insider that he tried the experiment inside Dobrik's house, and the stained ceiling now rejects new coats of paint because the iodide seeps through. One of the most coveted world records on YouTube--the largest Elephants Toothpaste Experiment. This means it can either be recycled again or composted. (Toothpastes that use animal fat-based glycerin are not vegan; Colgates Smile for Good uses plant-based glycerin. In this activity, students will use chemical reactions to create toothpaste big enough for an elephant! In our experiment the hydrogen peroxide has low concentration, nevertheless it can still discolor fabrics. UM, DID YOU SEE THE WARNING ABOVE? It may not be what your dentist tells you, but whats clean for your teeth isnt always what is clean for the environment. I was looking for an experiment, something that is kinda like a volcano, and this, "I had to do science fair project on this. Thick foam oozes out the top of the bottle, like toothpaste squeezed out of its tube. A lot of conventional oral care products contain ingredients that can cause potential harm to the planet. Enjoy the bubbles! First pour 1/2 cup hydrogen peroxide into the empty bottle using a funnel. Ensure this experiment is conducted on a washable, stain-resistant surface, and do not stand anywhere near the bottle or cylinder when it foams. Over time, showerheads can become clogged with deposits of calcium, magnesium, lime, silica, and other minerals. Research from the University of Gothenburg in 2014 examined the ingredients in multiple kinds of toothpaste and explained their properties. This printable is part of HP's School of Fun Series. Tammy Slater is the founder of arew.org, a home and garden blog that provides inspiration and resources for homeowners and renters alike. Add a few squirts of dish soap to the bottom of the bottle. You can also do the demonstration without dish soap, and the reaction will still take place, but it won't create the bubbly foam. This results in a foamy liquid that comes out of the top of your bottle. Lighting up a piece of elephant dung to keep the mozzies away might not sound incredibly . Another alternative is a tube of toothpaste but biodegradable and using safe and natural ingredients. Therefore the catalyst is added. 3) Remove the funnel straight into a sink or bowl, being careful not to drip any hydrogen peroxide that may still be in it. This soap has very neutral pH, just slightly basic (I'm talking 7.2-7.4). If you have enough materials on hand, you can try different variations of the experiment like Rober did in his video or see how much foam you can produce by increasing the quantity of materials. You can dump both the foam and the liquid down the drain. Cheers! People recognize, know, and trust Colgate, which is why many people who care about the environment want to know what the environmental impact of Colgate is. . Some popular, fairly eco-friendly toothpaste brands include Dr Bronners, Jason, Toms of Maine, and Weleda though these are all packaged in plastic. WARNING: In case you missed it the first time, avoid touching or getting the chemicals on skin or clothing. Step 3. Top editors give you the stories you want delivered right to your inbox each weekday. What Is The Difference Between Bonding And HardWall. Mix 1 Tbsp yeast into 3 Tbsp of warm water in a small paper cup. [9] By using this service, some information may be shared with YouTube. They are biodegradable and more sustainable to create as well. Firstly, take a high water container. Pour your hydrogen peroxide into the water bottle. Elephants are the largest land mammals on earth and have distinctly massive bodies, large ears, and long trunks. 12. They come out the end of a pipe somewhere usually in one of our vital waterways and if your toothpaste's ingredients arent safe for the planet, they can cause significant harm. March 3, 2021, What is Wheat Straw Plastic and Is It Eco-Friendly? nestle Posts: 4 Joined: Tue Jan 29, 2008 9 . Elephant Toothpaste. Foamy substance created by rapidly decomposing hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), "The Great Elephant Toothpaste Experiment! What is the purpose of the Elephant Toothpaste experiment? She received her MA in Environmental Science and Management from the University of California, Santa Barbara in 2016. The higher the level of hydrogen peroxide used, the greater the risk of injury. References. This fantastic effect you can get by combining just four ingredients: water, hydrogen peroxide, potassium permanganate, and dish soap. We also look at toxic ingredients, vegan brands, spotlight on Colgate-Palmolive, and give our recommended buys. activity I can do with my kids. A self-taught DIYer, Tammy loves nothing more than tackling a new project in her own home. MV WiSTEM 9/28. If you use the 3% solution found in pharmacies, you can touch the foam afterward. (AD) Try This Extreme: 50 Fun & Safe Experiments for the Mad Scientist in You, (AD) Make This! WARNING: In case you missed it the first time, avoid touching or getting the chemicals on skin or clothing. These kinds of toothpaste are made of an actual paste, but their packaging is often recycled or made out of biodegradable material. Newer Post , 5 Must-Have Reusable Products Some of these ingredients seem logical, like cellulose gum to make it a gummy substance. Unfortunately, traditional toothpaste tubes are created of a plastic-and-aluminum combination, making them extremely difficult to recycle. Most of them readily available in stores all over your country. Put the yeast in a small cup or bowl, and add about 3 tablespoons of warm water to activate it. Before buying a tube of this type of toothpaste, make sure these companies do not test their products on animals. Take a dish soap or whatever you have that proved to be a good foam-maker and add it to our solution from Step 2. Also, the lab version includes potassium iodide, which can reach hot temperatures. It may bleach skin and could possibly cause burns. If using a funneled top, you should definitely do the experiment outside, because the stream can reach several feet in the air. This is an exothermic reaction, so stand back to avoid burns from the heat. With Delta Dental estimating that the average American uses 20 gallons of toothpaste throughout their lifetime, using an environmentally friendly toothpaste is crucial. The manufacturing of toothpaste is, therefore, very unfriendly for the environment. As we know, plastic is a product of oil and the process of both creating and recycling it causes a surge of CO2 into the air. The Elepanth's toothpaste experiment undergoes a hydrogen decomposition reaction into water and oxygen gas by yeast or potassium iodide which is the source of the catalase enzyme. In a separate small cup, pour one pouch (about two teaspoons) of dry yeast and add two tablespoons of warm water. You can also add glitter to make it more fun. The experiment uses a highly corrosive substance, hydrogen peroxide, which can cause skin irritation and burns. Extreme. (In video #1 the stream of bubbles was fatter, and in video #2 there's no soap.) Leave for a couple of minutes while you get everything else ready. Pour half a cupful of hydrogen peroxide into the bottle (more if you're using a larger bottle). With a regular soda bottle and 3% hydrogen peroxide, you will probably get a cascading effect like a chocolate fountain. (optional) Run a few drops of food coloring down the sides of the cylinder for a striping effect. If the hydrogen peroxide comes in contact with your skin - rinse it with copious water to get it off. Depending on your childs age, you can have them use a fun spoon and stirring tool. Then, a catalyst, often around 10 ml potassium iodide solution or catalase from baker's yeast, is added to make the hydrogen peroxide decompose very quickly. By clicking Sign up, you agree to receive marketing emails from Insider How to separate water into hydrogen and oxygen? This experiment shows the catalyzed decomposition of hydrogen peroxide. There's also Uncle Harry's, which sells its all-natural toothpaste in a glass jar that you can dip your toothbrush straight into, avoiding the need for a tube. We prefer the tall one as it makes less mess and limits potential losses . What does a blinking blue light on a smoke detector mean? We are curious what are your suggestions and results. The reaction isexothermic; the foam produced is hot. Please be aware the concentrated hydrogen peroxide (greater than the household 3%) is a strong oxidizer. As icons of the continent elephants are tourism magnets, attracting funding that helps protect wilderness areas. Sure, these ingredients like sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) and triclosan keep your pearly whites looking shiny and feeling clean; but remember, everything you spit down the drain ends up somewhere else. Above all, to make the elephant toothpaste grow, we have to do one more thing add hydrogen peroxide in one shot. Swish the bottle to stir the ingredients. This is generally a twofold issue, as most conventional toothpaste uses plastic packaging (toothpaste tubes) and contains harmful ingredients that can cause pollution. After allowing the foam to cool for a few minutes, you and your kids may touch the foam with gloves on. Therefore the catalyst is added. The RSPO has production standards for growers that set best practices for producing and sourcing palm oil . 5 Pages. This will need to be set aside for a few minutes until it . [2][3][8] The iodide ion changes the mechanism by which the reaction occurs: The reaction is exothermic; the foam produced is hot (about 75C). EWG Home EWG's Guide to Healthy Cleaning EWG's Food Scores Healthy Living App. If youre thinking about trying this experiment at home, its important to be aware of the risks involved. The YouTubers use 20-Volume hydrogen peroxide, which is a 6% solution that's stronger than the kind found in pharmacies or drug stores. There is enough foam squirting out for an elephant to brush its teeth. Pour cup of peroxide into your 'toothpaste' container. Place your cylinder in your tray. Were committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission.