Reddit mentions of Hydrochloric Acid 37% Reagent Grade for High Purity Aqua Regia (Quart)

Explosive Elephant Toothpaste!!

I tried this with two different flask types: 2L Erlenmeyer and 2L graduated cylinder. For each flask I used 250ml 35% H2O2 (hydrogen peroxide) and 50ml 4 molar KI (potassium iodide) and a bit of dish soap.

To get (my best approximation of) 4 molar KI, I took 35 mg of nearly-pure granular KI and filled the container to 50 ml with water. I was able to buy the chemicals and all the flasks online. Please be careful with the hydrogen peroxide – it will burn your skin at this concentration.

Steps:

Pre-make the KI solution, and measure out all other chemicals.

USING GLOVES AND EYE PROTECTION

-- Put 250ml H2O2 in each flask
-- Put ~25-30 ml of dish soap in each flask
-- Add several drops food coloring of color desired (complicates clean-up - be warned!)
-- QUICKLY add 50 ml KI solution to each flask and jump back!

Notes:

The graduated cylinder produces a thick pillar of foam, the Erlenmeyer flask produces more of a jet.

The chemicals should be added by an adult.

If you film this, be sure to have the person filming stand back, and be prepared to capture an 8 to 10 foot jet coming out of the flask.

Shopping list (what I used):

This puts out a thick column of foam:
213I16 Karter Scientific 2000ml Glass Graduated Cylinder, Single Metric Scale https://www.amazon.com/dp/B006UKIBKU/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_8OuWxbG8YRB8N

This puts out a narrow/taller jet of foam - I now have three:
2000ml / 2L Narrow Mouth Erlenmeyer Flask with Heavy Duty Rim https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00Q34D0HC/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_rQuWxb4708ZVJ


Hydrochloric Acid 37% Reagent Grade For High Purity Aqua Regia (Quart) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00HWFHMRK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_QRuWxbY6QTAST
Hydrogen Peroxide 35% solution (correction from strike through!!



Potassium Iodide, High Purity Crystals, 99.8 % min., 100 grams https://www.amazon.com/dp/B008D8161I/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_PTuWxb0N94SZQ

Atlas Glove 620 Atlas Vinylove 12" Double Dipped Gloves - Small (they come in different sizes) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002PJ0WRK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_nUuWxbSQCV77N

Learning Resources Primary Science Safety Glasses (good size for kids) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B006ZLSWFI/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_SVuWxbBKKKD9R

Heathrow Scientific HD15909 Spatula with Flat End and Spoon End, 9" Overall Length (optional - but good for mixing the potassium iodide) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0061OT1A4/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_qSuWxbA6R27C3