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  Home > JCE Print > Journal of Chemical Education > Issues > 2005  > June  >
In the Classroom
Tested Demonstrations
A Modified Demonstration of the Catalytic Decomposition of Hydrogen Peroxide
Carlos Alexander Trujillo
Departamento de Química, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogotá, Columbia

checked by Edward Senkbeil
Department of Chemistry, Salisbury University, Salisbury, MD 21801-6860

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

Cover
June 2005
Vol. 82 No. 6
p. 855

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.
More Information
*  Citation
Trujillo, Carlos Alexander. J. Chem. Educ. 2005 82 855.
*  Keywords
Catalysis; Demonstrations; First-Year Undergraduate / General; High School / Introductory Chemistry; Humor / Puzzles / Games; Kinetics; Oxidation / Reduction
*  History
Created:
Last Updated:
April 27, 2005
May 6, 2005
  Home > JCE Print > Journal of Chemical Education > Issues > 2005 > June > Page 855


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