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Elephant Toothpaste
Season 3
Episode 25
You might have seen this wacky experiment in a chemistry class or on late-night TV. Dropping a mixture into some hydrogen peroxide produces a huge foamy flume. But what’s actually causing that big mess? Turns out it’s a great illustration of a key concept in chemistry: catalysts.
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10:04
We tracked it down to investigate if it’s as “banana-y” as the myth claims.

7:26
We explore the sugar molecules in breast milk that make it so difficult to recreate.

8:12
We find out what it is and push its limits.

7:25
What’s the chemistry behind those smells, and why do they make us so happy?

4:45
The answer is yes! In this episode, we explore why.

6:10
Spoiler Alert! It's because of the ammonium nitrate.

8:34
Sam and George suffer for science to find the best cure.

4:00
Sam and George experiment with this tea to play with its spectacular colors.

3:54
We break down the Mars-like haze and how climate change is involved.

3:47
We explore why margaritas have such an effect on the body when making it.

12:31
We get into how this tiny molecule holds up so much of our modern world.

14:13
We break down what a battery is and how they’re actually all around us.