This was inspired by Lucinda’s excellent post. I wanted to do it for two reasons. The first was for its fizzy fun factor! It was a perfect addition to our Fizzy Fun science. The second was for the older children to see it happen and for them to design their own experiments using this catalytic reaction as their base. As they are studying microbes at the moment and had looked extensively into yeast as a type of fungus, I thought investigating its properties as a catalyst might be quite interesting.
The science-y stuff
In this case the yeast acts as a catalyst to speed up the natural decomposition of hydrogen peroxide to oxygen and hydrogen. Being thermodynamically unstable the heat also aids the process. This decomposition is an exothermic reaction, meaning that as the reaction progresses the conical flask heats up.
Supplies
1/2 cup Hydrogen peroxide (found in chemist)
1 tsp Yeast
2 tbsp hot water (not too hot)
1 tbsp Washing up liquid
Conical flask
Tray for catching resulting foam
Funnel
Preparation
As I am doing science with a five year old and three year old I like to prepare as much as possible in advance. It seems to go much more smoothly the less steps they need to do. Being typical youngsters they just want to see the fun reactive part, not necessarily all the other bits. As they get older they will do more and more themselves. I often ask A5 to help with the prep, which she is now old enough to understand and enjoy, unlike B3:
- A5 measured 1/2 cup of hydrogen peroxide into the comical flask and added the food colouring and washing up liquid.
- She then mixed the yeast with the water in a test tube and gave it a shake, placing it into a test tube holder.
- This was all popped into a small cat litter tray.
- She did this twice, ensuring both she and her sister were able to do the activity separately:
What to do
Of course, I said to go for it! So they did!
In fact, they spent all afternoon playing with it and only stopped when Daddy came home to take everyone to the leisure centre. This is definitely one to be repeated…..and often!
Your pictures are fantastic, you really captured their joy. The sleeve shot is priceless 🙂
I love taking pictures, especially of my youngest. She seems to be so photogenic and lively! Plus she loves being in front of the camera, which makes it a delightful experience for both of us!
Sweet little scientists!
Aren’t they just!
We have had a lot of fun with this, too. Your little scientists are so cute.
Thank you. I think so too!
It’s such a fun experiment, isn’t it? We were very excited too, when we did it. 🙂 I love the littles in their lab coats — so very professional looking!
I always love that B3 NEVER seems to be able to put her goggles on straight!
Those are gorgeous little scientists! We have yet to try elephant toothpaste – we really need to get on that!
It’s really fun, but we used up a whole bottle just for the two little ones, so it could get quite expensive!
Oh my goodness, so cute!!
Will definitely be trying this one!
It’s a good one to do! Make sure you buy lots of supplies, the children are bound to ask to do it again!
I liked the elephants toothpaste!!!!
love l11
we’ll be doing some more next week sweetie pie!
Oh my those nice white coats after the toothpaste……
And, y’know, I washed them and they are still orange!! Oh well, I suppose that is their function. Better them than their clothes!
I just love seeing photos of your little girls doing science. The expressions on B’s face in particular are priceless! Such wonder 🙂 We’ve been doing lots of messy play recently too (I don’t have very little ones so if *I* want to play I have to do it with my middle-sized ones ;-)). Yesterday was the messiest yet. Ever tried cleaning up a concoction involving shaving foam, cornflour, bicarb of soda and coloured sand? Which has been played with inside and out…?! Was worth it though. 🙂
You’ll have to come round here and play with my littles!
Brilliant. We do the vinegar and baking soda experiment quite often ( my little one likes making wizards potions) but this is the next step I think. I assume its best carried out in the open air because it’s a bit whiffy – am I correct?
Thank you so much for linking this up with the # homeedlinkup.
I just adore seeing kids in goggles – it’s super cute:)
Not wiffy at all! I took it outside because the weather was nice!
These posts make me want to start homeschooling all over again! Love the pictures. The delight on your children’s faces tells all:)
I know! B3 has one of the most expressive faces I’ve ever seen!