Tusker Toothpaste II

Question: How do Catalysts Work?

Our Experiment

Materials: 

Hydrogen Peroxide Solution – 6%
Active Dry Yeast
Dawn Dishwashing Liquid
Warm Water
Tablespoon Measuring spoon
Funnel
33.8fl oz soda bottle                    
Food Coloring
Tray

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Safety Procedures

<Explain in detail any precautions>
Material 1: <things to watch for material 1>
Material 4: <things to watch for material 2>

What is Hydrogen Perioxide -                             H2O2
A colorless liquid usually produced used in various strengths for:
·        Bleaching cotton and other fabrics
·        Bleaching wood pulp ( the base for paper products)
·        Manufacturing other chemicals such as rocket propellant!
·        Used in cosmetic and medicinal purposes

Hydrogen Peroxide can be purchased in varying strengths from 3% to 98%, the higher the percentage the faster the oxidation occurs so the more heat that is generated and the more hazardous it becomes.
3% is the strength of Hydrogen Peroxide that most parents keep at home to clean and disinfect cuts – this can be purchased at the grocery/pharmacy.

We used 6% ( also known as 20 Volume ) this was purchased at the Beauty Supply store as they use it in hair products.  (cosmetic purposes).

20-volume means that, when 1 volume of hydrogen peroxide is decomposed, it produces 20 volumes of oxygen.

What is Yeast?

Yeast, a microscopic, one-celled organism belonging to the group of organisms called fungi.

Yeasts are found in the soil, in water, on the surface of plants, and on the skin of humans and other animals. Like other fungi, yeasts obtain food from the organic matter around them; they secrete enzymes that break down the organic matter into nutrients they can absorb.

What is a Catalyst?

Catalysts work by providing a place where reactants can come together to react.

Why use Yeast as a Catalyst?

Cells in yeast and other organisms contain a catalyst called catalase. Through normal cell processes, living things produce hydrogen peroxide in their cells. But hydrogen peroxide is a poison so the cells need a way to break it down very quickly. Cells contain catalase, which breaks down hydrogen peroxide at a very fast rate. A single molecule of catalase can catalyze the breakdown of millions of hydrogen peroxide molecules every second.

Procedure:

1)    Place the soda bottle in the middle of the tray and put the funnel into the opening

2)    Pour 1 Tablespoon of Yeast into a cup and add 3 Tablespoons of warm water and stir – set aside

3)    Pour ½ cup of Hydrogen Peroxide into the bottle

4)    Pour 1 tablespoon of Dishwashing liquid into bottle and swirl to mix

5)    Choose Food Coloring Color of Choice and add 4 drops of color in total to drip down the inside of the bottle.

6)    Now add the Yeast mixture

7)    Remove Funnel

8)    Step back and enjoy!

Did you think this was cool?

We call it Tusker (Elephant) Toothpaste only because what happens in the bottle looks like enough toothpaste for an elephant to use!

A small amount of Hydrogen Peroxide generates a large volume of oxygen,   so when the catalyst of Yeast is added, which contains catalase, the liquid begins to break down very quickly and reacts with the oxygen and starts to quickly push out of the container.

The liquid soap is used ONLY to trap the oxygen that is released and the bubbles then turn to foam – make is easier to view the experiment

Oxygen quickly leaves the container causing strong foam so it erupts out of the top of the bottle. This foamy substance is caused by RAPID decomposition of Hydrogen Peroxide.

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