Elephant Toothpaste Lab

Pre-Lab

Write up the lab report introduction in your science notebook. Write the Title, Purpose, Hypothesis and create a blank results section. Refer to the Lab Report template.

Safety

Wear disposable gloves and safety glasses. Oxygen is evolved in this reaction, so do not perform this demonstration near an open flame. Also, the reaction is exothermic, producing a fair amount of heat, so do not lean over the graduated cylinder when the solutions are mixed. Leave your gloves on following the demonstration to aid with cleanup. The solution and foam may be rinsed down the drain with water.

Lab Procedure

Complete all steps inside the tin pan in the middle of the lab station on top of the sink.

1. Put on lab aprons and safety glasses.
2. Ask for the 100mL of 6% hydrogen peroxide solution in the Erlenmeyer flask
3. Squirt in a little dishwashing detergent and swirl it around.
4. Place 3 drops of food coloring along the wall of the flask to make the foam resemble striped toothpaste.
5. Measure out 100 mL of warm water in a beaker and add yeast to create a solution.
6. Add yeast solution to hydrogen peroxide in the Erlenmeyer Flask.
7. Record all observations in your science notebook with a picture and written notes.

Lab Conclusions:

Answer the following in your science notebook.

1. Identify and describe the parts of the chemical reaction.

2. Write the Elephant Toothpaste equation, from the lab description. Label the reactants, products, and common names.

3. Was this an exothermic reaction or endothermic reaction?