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A Modified Demonstration of the Catalytic Decomposition of Hydrogen Peroxide

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Carlos Alexander Trujillo

Departamento de Química, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogotá, Columbia

Edward Senkbeil

Department of Chemistry, Salisbury University, Salisbury, MD 21801-6860

Paul Krause

Department of Chemistry, University of Central Arkansas, Conway, AR 72032

J. Chem. Educ., 2005, 82 (6), p 855

DOI: 10.1021/ed082p855

Publication Date (Web): June 1, 2005

Section:

History, Education, and Documentation

Abstract

A safer and cheaper version of the popular catalyzed decomposition of hydrogen peroxide demonstration commonly called the “Elephants’ Toothpaste” is presented. Hydrogen peroxide is decomposed in the presence of a surfactant by the enzyme catalase producing foam. Catalase has a higher activity compared with the traditional iodide and permits the use of diluted hydrogen peroxide solutions. The demonstration can be made with household products with similar amazing effects.

Keywords (Audience):

High School / Introductory Chemistry

Keywords (Domain):

Demonstrations

Keywords (Feature):

JCE DigiDemos: Tested Demonstrations

Keywords (Pedagogy):

Humor / Puzzles / Games

Keywords (Subject):

Catalysis

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This article has been cited by 1 ACS Journal articles (1 most recent appear below).

A Quick and Accurate Oxygen-Based Pressure-Sensor Assay for Catalase Activity
Megan E. Lewis , Rebecca M. Levine , John T. York and W. Tandy Grubbs
Journal of Chemical Education2009 86 (10), 1227
- A Quick and Accurate Oxygen-Based Pressure-Sensor Assay for Catalase Activity
  Megan E. Lewis , Rebecca M. Levine , John T. York and W. Tandy Grubbs
  Journal of Chemical Education2009 86 (10), 1227
  A method is described for investigating the catalytic decomposition of hydrogen peroxide by using a computer-interfaced pressure sensor to follow the evolution of O2(g) inside a closed reaction vessel. The pressure sensor and accompanying glassware are ...
  Abstract | Hi-Res PDF | PDF w/ Links