Worlds Largest Glow in the Dark Elephant Toothpaste Reaction

Nick Uhas
22 Apr 202210:31

Summary

TLDRIn 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.

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Related Tags
ChemiluminescenceGlow SticksElephant ToothpasteDIY ScienceHydrogen PeroxideFluorescent DyeChemistry ExperimentGlow in the DarkYeast CatalystScience Fun