Elephant’s toothpaste is a foamy substance caused by the rapid decomposition of hydrogen peroxide using yeast or potassium iodide and warm water as a catalyst. Hydrogen peroxide is unstable and breaks down over time into water and oxygen gas, and the catalyst (either yeast or potassium iodide) speeds up that decomposition into a matter of seconds. Add some soap (and food coloring if you’re feeling adventurous) and you’ve got a mix of soapy water and gas to fill some bubbles. Plenty of fun, but the soapy foam won’t work very well to brush any teeth!
World’s Largest Elephant Toothpaste Experiment
Elephant Toothpaste – How A Catalyst Speed Up A Chemical Reaction
Catalysts Explained
