Worlds Largest Glow in the Dark Elephant Toothpaste Reaction

Summary

In this video, the creator explores the concept of chemiluminescence using glow sticks, which contain a chemical called TCPO that reacts with hydrogen peroxide to produce light. Inspired by this, they attempt to combine chemiluminescence with the 'elephant toothpaste' reaction, a popular science demonstration. After initial failures with potassium iodide, they successfully use baker's yeast as a catalyst to create a glowing version of the reaction. The experiment is scaled up to a massive five-gallon bucket, and eventually, a record-breaking attempt is planned with the help of friends and a manufacturer of glow juice, turning the backyard into a glowing spectacle.

Takeaways

• 🌟 Chemiluminescence is the process by which light is emitted from a chemical reaction without the production of heat, demonstrated by glow sticks.
• 🧪 The glow stick contains a chemical called TCPO (bis-2,4,6-trichlorophenyl oxalate) and a glass vial with hydrogen peroxide and fluorescent dye.
• 💡 Cracking the glass vial mixes the chemicals, leading to a reaction where TCPO uses energy from hydrogen peroxide to energize the fluorescent dye, causing it to glow.
• 🐘 The 'elephant toothpaste' reaction is also powered by hydrogen peroxide, which is a common link between the two experiments.
• 🔬 Combining chemiluminescence and 'elephant toothpaste' was explored to create a glowing version of the latter, involving a collaboration with a chemist.
• ⏱ The success of combining the two reactions depends on the chemical kinetics and the availability of hydrogen peroxide and catalyst.
• 🚫 The initial attempt with potassium iodide as a catalyst failed because it oxidized and masked the glow of the fluorescent dye.
• 🍞 Using baker's yeast as a catalyst instead of potassium iodide successfully created a glowing 'elephant toothpaste' reaction.
• 📈 Scaling up the experiment involved using larger quantities of hydrogen peroxide, glow sticks, and yeast solution, resulting in a very bright and long-lasting glow.
• 🌐 The experiment was expanded to a massive scale, turning a backyard into a large-scale glowing chemiluminescent display, breaking records for the largest glow-in-the-dark 'elephant toothpaste' experiment.

Q & A

What is chemiluminescence?

Chemiluminescence is a chemical reaction that emits light without the production of heat. In the context of the script, it's exemplified by the glow stick, where a chemical reaction involving TCPO and hydrogen peroxide leads to light emission.

What are the two main components inside a glow stick?

The two main components inside a glow stick are a fluid containing a solvent and a chemical called bis-(2,4,6-trichlorophenyl) oxalate (TCPO), and a small glass vial filled with hydrogen peroxide and a fluorescent dye.

How does the glow stick activate when cracked?

When the glass vial inside the glow stick is cracked, the chemicals inside it mix with the fluid containing TCPO. This initiates a reaction where the TCPO uses energy from the hydrogen peroxide to energize the fluorescent dye, causing it to glow.

What is the role of hydrogen peroxide in the glow stick reaction?

Hydrogen peroxide provides the energy needed to activate the TCPO, which in turn energizes the fluorescent dye, allowing it to emit light.

Why did the experimenter consider combining chemiluminescence with elephant toothpaste?

The experimenter was intrigued by the fact that both chemiluminescence and elephant toothpaste reactions are powered by hydrogen peroxide and wanted to explore if they could be combined to create a glowing version of elephant toothpaste.

What happened when the experimenter tried to combine glow sticks with elephant toothpaste using potassium iodide as a catalyst?

The potassium iodide catalyst oxidized so dark that it masked the fluorescent dye in the glow sticks, causing the mixture to go from glowing to completely black.

What alternative catalyst was used to successfully create glowing elephant toothpaste?

Baker's yeast was used as an alternative catalyst to successfully create glowing elephant toothpaste without the masking effect observed with potassium iodide.

How did the experimenter scale up the glowing elephant toothpaste reaction?

The experimenter scaled up the reaction by using two gallons of 35% hydrogen peroxide, 250 glow sticks, and yeast as a catalyst in a five-gallon bucket.

What was the cost-effectiveness of using raw chemicals versus buying glow sticks for the glow?

It was found to be significantly cheaper to buy glow sticks and extract their glow juice rather than mixing the raw chemicals to achieve the same effect.

What was the outcome of the largest glow-in-the-dark elephant toothpaste experiment?

The largest experiment was successful, resulting in a very bright and long-lasting glow, which the experimenter claimed to be the world's largest glow-in-the-dark elephant toothpaste experiment.