ScienceBob recommends using a tablespoon of dry yeast, or one packet. Here are some tips for avoiding problems with elephant toothpaste: -Add the hydrogen peroxide to the soap first, then add the yeast. While doing it, do it firmly and after pouring it step back. The iodide ion catalyzes the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide, generating oxygen gas which causes the soap to foam up and shoot up out of the cylinder. Yes. In this experiment, we received a so-called elephant toothpaste. 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." The experiment uses a highly corrosive substance, hydrogen peroxide, which can cause skin irritation and burns. For variables, use different percentages of hydrogen peroxide to see . With the right clean-up, it's environmentally sound, too. Add a good squirt (about one tablespoon) of dish soap and several drops of food coloring. If Colgate is going to make plastic tubes, sure, they should be recyclable; but the truth is, there are better, more sustainable, lower-waste options for packaging: metal toothpaste tubes, glass powder jars, and compostable/biodegradable packaging. It's a chemical used in anti-freeze. Now, different brands of toothpaste have different ingredients. CEO and president of Colgate-Palmolive told The Guardian, Colgate wants to make tubes a part of the circular economy by keeping this plastic productive and eliminating waste. Tammy Slater is the founder of arew.org, a home and garden blog that provides inspiration and resources for homeowners and renters alike. All rights reserved, 16-ounce empty plastic soda or water bottle with narrow neck, cup 20-volume peroxide, sold in a beauty supply store; needs to be a 6 percent solution, glass measuring cup, beaker, or clear plastic cup, safety equipment: safety goggles, lab apron, nitrile gloves. Don't put it in your mouth or swallow it. As the old adage goes: "Waste not, want not!" and here are eight useful ways to make the most of all that poop: 1. Safety goggles (safety first, of course!) February 9, 2022, Disposable Coffee Cups: Are They Recyclable? The elephants toothpaste trick can be a nice experiment but please take precautions so your children have fun and good memories. No other life will exist. This COOL chemical reaction spews froth and foam everywhere. Using the funnel, carefully pour into the bottom of the bottle. For tips on adjustments you can make to get other effects, read on! If you want to add color, now is the time. Have your little one stir it to get out all the clumps. And don't get too close, as heat and steam can be dangerous. After the reaction concludes, you're left with a lot of soapy foam. Plastic-free is !!! Formulated with plant-based ingredients like eucalyptus, coconut oil, sodium cocoyl isethionate (derived from coconut), xylitol, bentonite, charcoal powder, licorice root, and more, even though these toothpastes and tabs also go down the drain, they wont harm the environment when they inevitably make their way to the waterways. The reaction produces a large amount of heat, so it is important to use gloves to protect your hands. Please also stay away from open fire as quickly generated oxygen might rapidly react with it. So, while traditional toothpaste might not be totally environmentally friendly, certain eco-friendly brands of toothpaste and alternatives do exist. The experiment is also known as the "marshmallow experiment", but is unrelated to the psychological Stanford marshmallow experiment. It may bleach skin and could possibly cause burns. Pour your hydrogen peroxide into the water bottle. This means it can either be recycled again or composted. -Start with a small amount of yeast and add more if needed. Making elephant toothpaste is an easy and fun science experiment that you can do with your kids at home or with students in the lab. "It also helps . If you use dye, it can stain ceilings to the point where it's almost impossible to clean. It's not just a random date that the food company picked out of thin air. For tips on adjustments you can make to get other effects, read on! There are a few plastic-free toothpaste tubes out there; for example, Goodwell Co.'s toothpaste comes in a sugarcane-based tube, and toothpaste by Davids is packaged in a recyclable aluminum tube. August 16, 2021, Do You Know How to Recycle? It happens because this reaction belongs to so-called exothermic reactions. Then squirt a small amount (about 1 Tbsp) of dish soap into the bottle. So, lets start! That functions merely as a stabilizer and to create the "gummy" look toothpaste has. This article has been viewed 1,015,055 times. 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. Safety Information: (MSDS, 2014) Be careful with hydrogen peroxide. The detergent speeds up the foaming. Have fun with it, but be safe! Dec 20 2019 3:43 PM. Maybe you love green color or maybe the red one choose whatever your imagination tells you and have fun! The hands-on experiment has clear directions and great followup pages and interactive notebook flap. [1] How rapidly the reaction proceeds will depend on the concentration of hydrogen peroxide.[2][3][4]. Just this January, Colgate launched a new line of toothpaste in 100 percent recyclable tubes, according to The Guardian, and also has its Smile For Good U.K. brand, which has a vegan formulation packaged in tubes made of HDPE plastic, making them recyclable. The environmental problem with toothpaste tubes is a huge one. 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. Most of them readily available in stores all over your country. And you might've guessed it, one of those new alternatives is toothpaste tablets. . These fluoride-free toothpastes are cruelty-free, vegan . Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 1,015,055 times. Step 5. Thick foam oozes out the top of the bottle, like toothpaste squeezed out of its tube. Never run out of ink and save up to 50% all starting at $0.99 a month. As it decomposes, or breaks down, the two molecules of H202 separate into two liquid H2O (water) molecules and a single oxygen molecule. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. You can also do the demonstration without dish soap, and the reaction will still take place, but it won't create the bubbly foam. Copyright 1996-2015 National Geographic SocietyCopyright 2015-2023 National Geographic Partners, LLC. By following these guidelines, you can safely enjoy this fun and exciting science demonstration! Both male and female African elephants grow tusks and . It is also used in other cosmetics, food and pharmaceuticals. So all you need to do is find ingredients that are antibacterial and non-threatening to your teeth (looking at you, sugar!). Pour 30 mL H 2 O 2 into the graduated cylinder. Nevertheless, the lower concentration of peroxidecan till discolor fabrics. It's a harmful substance that remains in water even after passing through sewage systems. -If the reaction starts to get out of control, quickly remove the lid from the container to allow the gases to escape. Learn how to make Steve Spangler's Elephant Toothpaste recipe using safe and easy materials you can find at home. That means you can just use a funnel or pour the dissolved yeast into the hydrogen peroxide. We are adding 10 grams of potassium permanganate and stir it. We can align on these common standards for tubes and still compete with what's inside them.. This printable is part of HP's School of Fun Series. A post shared by Davids Natural Toothpaste (@davidsnaturaltoothpaste) on Jul 11, 2020 at 1:30pm PDT. Can you eat elephant toothpaste? Why is toothpaste targeted, and how bad is it really for the environment? Cheers! However, this does not mean you shouldn't brush your teeth. Make sure the glitter is plastic and not metal-based because peroxide should not be used with metal. Elephant's Toothpaste This classic chemistry demonstration is a huge hit with kids of all ages. Elephant Toothpaste Formula: A Steve Spangler Science Exclusive . This experiment cannot be done safely without goggles and gloves. If using a funneled top, you should definitely do the experiment outside, because the stream can reach several feet in the air. The problem with elephant toothpaste is that it can be difficult to control the reaction. How Do You Get Rid Of Hard Calcium Deposits In The Shower? Know Your Environment. It happens when more energy is produced than amount of energy was used to initiate the reaction. Pour one cup of hydrogen peroxide into the bottle. Brilliant Blue FCF is a colourant, in this case colouring your toothpaste blue. No, you can use 3% or 6% H2O2 instead. Other ways in which toothpaste can be harmful. Check it out again! Elephant's T oot hpast e Chemistry | 20 minutes In this activity, s tudent s w i l l use chem i cal r eacti ons to cr eate toothpaste big enough for an el ephant ! What is Wheat Straw Plastic and Is It Eco-Friendly? Elephant's toothpaste is a foamy substance caused by the rapid decomposition of hydrogen peroxide using potassium iodide or yeast and warm water . Avoid touching or getting the chemicals on skin or clothing. Lastly, there is another option that not many people think of: making your own toothpaste. This fantastic effect you can get by combining just four ingredients: water, hydrogen peroxide, potassium permanganate, and dish soap. 150mL 3% Hydrogen Peroxide. More recently, it's been used at the 2019 Miss Virginia pageant and for gender reveals. Some popular, fairly eco-friendly toothpaste brands include Dr Bronner's, Jason, Tom's of Maine, and Weleda though these are all packaged in plastic. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/5\/53\/Make-Elephant-Toothpaste-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Make-Elephant-Toothpaste-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/5\/53\/Make-Elephant-Toothpaste-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/aid697964-v4-728px-Make-Elephant-Toothpaste-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"