**WARNING: Please do not try this at home! This experiment is meant for science teachers. The chemicals used are dangerous.**

Things you need:

• 2 Graduated cylinders
• 50 mL 3% hydrogen peroxide
• 50 mL 30% hydrogen peroxide
• 2 x 10 mL Saturated solution of potassium iodide
• Dish detergent
• Food coloring
• Safety glasses
• Gloves

The Experiment:

Pour the 3% hydrogen peroxide, dish detergent and food coloring into one of the graduated cylinders. Gently agitate. Then pour 10 mL of the KI solution in and watch the reaction. What happens? How fast does this reaction happen?

Next, pour the 30% hydrogen peroxide, dish detergent and food coloring into the other graduated cylinder. Gently agitate. Then pour the other 10 mL of KI solution in and stand back! What happens? How fast does this reaction happen?

So that's how it works…

Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), decomposes (breaks down) over time into H2O (water) and O2, oxygen. Potassium iodide (KI) acts as a catalyst to this reaction, meaning it speeds it up. So when the KI solution is added to the hydrogen peroxide, oxygen gas is given off, creating the bubbles. The amount of hydrogen peroxide available determines the rate of reaction. Therefore, the more concentrated hydrogen peroxide (30%) has a much faster reaction than the 3% hydrogen peroxide.

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