How does this happen with the striped toothpaste science experiment | The Gooch

Have you ever seen the "Elephant Toothpaste" experiment—where colorful foam shoots out of a flask in a sudsy mushroom cloud? Dr. Kate Biberdorf, the professor for the public understanding of science at the University of Notre Dame (aka Kate the Chemist), is in the ND STEM Studio to explain the exothermic reaction behind this exciting chemistry demo! • First, we start with 35% hydrogen peroxide, H₂O₂ • Next, we add dish soap—this traps the oxygen, builds pressure, and creates the exciting reactio