Captivating Chemistry Demonstration

Mrs. Eagy has been capturing students' attention with a variety of demonstrations in
chemistry this year. Her latest demonstration involved a colorful, foaming compound formed by a chemical reaction often called 'Elephant's Toothpaste'. Similar to a well known reaction between vinegar and baking soda, this demonstration is a bit more reactive and impressive.



Materials
1 16 oz. plastic soda bottle
1/2 cup hydrogen peroxide liquid, either 6% or 9%
1 tablespoon dry yeast
3 tablespoons warm water
liquid dish washing soap
food coloring
small cup
funnel

Procedure
1. Carefully pour the hydrogen peroxide into the plastic soda bottle.
2. Add 8 drops or so of food coloring to the bottle.
3. Add about 1 tablespoon of liquid dish soap to the bottle and swish
the bottle around a bit to mix it.
4. In the small cup, combine the warm water and the yeast and mix for about 30 seconds.
5. Pour the yeast/water mixture into the bottle.







The foam from the experiment is created from an exothermic reaction (a reaction which releases energy in the process). The yeast acts as a catalyst to remove the oxygen from the compound H2O2, also known as hydrogen peroxide. The reaction happens quickly, which creates lots of bubbles as the oxygen mixes with the new compound H2O (water), soap, and food coloring. While the hydrogen peroxide was a strongly concentrated, dangerous to touch compound, the products of the reaction are not. The container is left warm to the touch due to the release of energy in the form of heat—an exothermic reaction!

This experiment is sometimes called "Elephant's Toothpaste" because it looks like toothpaste coming out of a tube, but you had better not brush with it!

Oak Hill Senior Named Commended Student

Oak Hill Senior Andrew St.Jean has been named a commended student in the 2012 National Merit Scholarship Program. He has been presented with a Letter of Commendation from Oak Hill and from the National Merit Scholarship Corporation.



Commended Students placed among the top five percent of more than 1.5 million students who entered the 2012 competition by taking the 2010 PSAT (PSAT/NMSQT).



"The young men and women being named Commended Students have demonstrated outstanding potential for academic success," commented a spokesperson for NMSC. "These students represent a valuable national resource; recognizing their accomplishments, as well as the key role their schools play in their academic development, is vital to the advancement of educational excellence in our nation. We hope that this recognition will help broaden their educational opportunities and encourage them as they continue their pursuit of academic success."



We thank the Lord for Andrew's talents and pray that he would continue to use them in God's service.