The Science: This experiment is often used as a fun science demo for kidsIt is called

Elephants Toothpaste. Hydrogen peroxide is catalytically decomposed by the potasium

iodide. By the idodide ion, actually. Oxygen gas is rapidly formed. You put a squirt of dish soap
and a drop of food coloring into 50 mL of 30% hydrogen peroxide Then when you add 1 or 2
grams of potassium iodide the released oxygen gas is trapped in soap bubbles you get a
huge amount of foamy suds!!! The reaction sequence is as follows
H202 (aq) + I- (aq) > H20 (l) + OI- (aq)
H202 (aq) + OI- (aq) > H20 (l) + O2 (g) + I- (aq)


Read More: http://www.trueactivist.com/15-awesome-chemistry-gifs/
Sodium Polyacrylate Mixed With Water


The Science: Sodium polyacrylate acts like a sponge and absorbs moisture. When mixed with
water, the compound actually turns into a solid gel. Once the sodium polyacrylate forms a gel,
the water is no longer liquid and cant pour out. Technically, the particles in sodium polyacrylate
have a property known as being hygroscopic, which means that they absorb and hold water.
Of course, this property is the reason why the compound is used in baby diapers to absorb
moisture and keep babies dry and comfortable.
Putting Out Candles With Carbon Dioxide
The Science: When you mix baking soda and vinegar together, you produce carbon dioxide.
The carbon dioxide is heavier than air, so it will sit in the bottom of the glass. When you pour the
gas from glass onto the candle, you are pouring out the carbon dioxide, which will sink and
replace the (oxygen-containing) air surrounding the candle with carbon dioxide. This suffocates
the flame and it goes out.
Heating Mercury Thiocyanate
The Science: It is an inorganic chemical compound, the salt of Hg
2+
and the thiocyanate anion.
It is a stable solid at room temperature that has the appearance of white powder with chunks; it
can also be grey in color, depending on purity. It will produce a large, winding snake when set
on fire. This is known as the Pharaohs Serpent.
[2]
Though some people still use it for this
purpose, it is generally avoided because of the production of toxic gases when this reaction
occurs.