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What is the primary goal of the Elephant's Toothpaste experiment?
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To demonstrate the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide in the presence of dish soap.
Describe the expected result when adding potassium iodide to a 35% hydrogen peroxide solution.
The reaction will be faster and more vigorous with rapid bubble formation.
Why is the experiment named 'Elephant's Toothpaste'?
Because the reaction produces a large amount of foam resembling toothpaste being squeezed from a tube, although it is not actually a dental hygiene product.
What are the safety precautions one should take while performing the Elephant's Toothpaste experiment?
Use safety glasses and gloves as hydrogen peroxide can be toxic at high concentrations.
How would the reaction differ with a 6% hydrogen peroxide solution compared to a 35% solution?
The reaction with the 6% solution would have slower bubble formation.
What is a catalyst, and how does it function in a chemical reaction?
A catalyst is a substance that increases the reaction rate without being consumed in the reaction.
What concentrations of hydrogen peroxide are used in the experiment?
6% concentration (weak) and 35% concentration (strong)
What materials are needed for the home variation of the experiment?
Old container of dishwashing liquid, 3% hydrogen peroxide, yeast, warm water.
What is the purpose of using a funnel in the home experiment?
To reduce mess while adding the yeast solution to the hydrogen peroxide and dish soap mixture.
Write the chemical equation for the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide.
H₂O₂ → H₂O + O₂
Why do we use different food colorings in the weak and strong hydrogen peroxide solutions?
To visually differentiate between the two concentrations, using blue for the weak solution and red for the strong solution.
In the home experiment variation, what acts as the catalyst and why?
Yeast acts as the catalyst to speed up the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide.
What observation should you expect when performing the home experiment variation with 3% hydrogen peroxide and yeast?
Rapid bubble formation as the yeast catalyzes the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide, creating foam.
What role does dish soap play in the experiment?
It helps trap the oxygen gas released during the reaction, forming bubbles and creating foam.
What is the role of potassium iodide in the experiment?
Potassium iodide acts as a catalyst to speed up the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide.
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