Materials+and+Procedure

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The reaction "Elephant Toothpaste" decomposes H 2 O 2 (hydrogen peroxide) into O 2 (oxygen gas) and H 2 O (water). Usually, this reaction takes a very long time to occur naturally, so for the sake of the demonstration an ionic catalyst will be used to move the reaction at a faster rate. This reaction is very fast and allows anyone to see how decomposition reactions occur.

__**Materials**__

1) 30% H 2 O 2 (hydrogen peroxide) (80 mL)

2) KI (potassium iodide) 2.4 M Solution (100 mL)

3) Liquid Dish Soap or Dawn detergent

4) Food colouring

5) 1 L Flask


 * __Procedure__**

1) Place the graduated cylinder in the middle of the cake tray to help eliminate any mess.

2) Pour 50mL of 30% hydrogen peroxide into the graduated cylinder.

3) Squeeze 2-3 squirts of liquid dish soap in the graduated cylinder.

4) Add 5-8 drops of food colouring to brighten the reaction and mix thoroughly.

5) Pour 50mL of saturated potassium iodide solution into the graduated cylinder and stand back.

6) Clean the bubbles produced by the reaction.


 * Caution:** This reaction is highly exothermic. Safety goggles and a lab coat should be worn during this procedure.