I conducted this experiment at Keiki Labs in HPP in March 25th 2023.
Background
Elephant toothpaste is a fun and safe experiment. The name of “elephant toothpaste” came from a formation of foams blasting off from a cylinder or a bottle with narrow opening. The foam is so massive and it seems to fit elephant mouth as a toothpaste.
This experiment uses 3% hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and a pack of yeast. Hydrogen peroxides are used for disinfection of scars and available at general stores. It is a stable chemical in dark and cold place, so it comes in brown or dark colored bottle. For instance, sun can slowly decompose hydrogen peroxide to oxygen and water.
For elephant toothpaste experiment requires yeast as a bio catalyst, which can increase the reaction rate of the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide. In other words, yeast can make oxygen gas very quickly.
