Elephant's Toothpaste

After completing the experiment in the lab, read about the chemical reaction that takes place during the Elephant's Toothpaste Experiment. Then finish the rest of the Lab Journal.

If you would like to see more about this experiment, watch the YouTube video below. It will show you a more advanced form using a stronger reactant and catalyst.

One question that frequently comes up during this experiment concerns the addition of food coloring to the solution. Is the change in color a chemical or a physical change? A simple demonstration allows us to determine the answer.

As with all chemical experiments, should you be interested in pursuing this at home, make sure that you have parental permission and supervision.