Elephant Toothpaste

Have you ever wondered what elephants brush their teeth with? Well this science experiment will help you find out!

Science Stop: Each tiny bubble made in this foamy experiment is filled with oxygen. The yeast acts as a catalyst, or helper, to remove the oxygen from the hydrogen peroxide. Since it does  this very fast, it creates a bunch of bubbles.

What You’ll Need: 

  1. Clean water bottle (or glass milk bottles)
  2. 1/2 cup 6% solution hydrogen peroxide liquid 
  3. 1 tablespoon (one packet) of dry yeast
  4. 3 tablespoons of warm water
  5. 1 tablespoon of liquid dish soap
  6. Food coloring

 

Instructions: 

  1. Place bottles in a tray or on a washable surface. 
  2. Pour 1/2 cup of hydrogen peroxide into the bottle.
  3. Add about 10 drops of food coloring into the bottle.
  4. Mix in 1 tablespoon of liquid dish soap into the bottle and swish the bottle around to mix it (this will create more foam in the reaction).
  5. In a separate small cup, combine the warm water and yeast together and mix for about 30 seconds.
  6. Pour the yeast water mixture into the bottle (a funnel helps).

This project was inspired by an activity here.

Check out other science and math activities from Camp Little Victors:

Find additional science and math activities from Camp Little Victors.