Where do you buy pottasium iodine, not the kind that you eat

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around sourcing potassium iodide for conducting the elephant's toothpaste experiment, with participants exploring alternatives and clarifying terminology related to potassium compounds.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Technical explanation, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses difficulty in finding potassium iodide, noting that available products are primarily thyroid pills.
  • Another participant confirms the correct term is potassium iodide, distinguishing it from potassium iodine.
  • A participant explains the chemistry of the elephant's toothpaste experiment, mentioning that potassium iodide acts as a catalyst in the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide.
  • Some participants suggest that even small amounts of potassium iodide from thyroid pills might suffice for the experiment.
  • Alternative catalysts for decomposing hydrogen peroxide are proposed, including manganese dioxide and ferric chloride.
  • One participant shares their unsuccessful attempt using a small amount of colorless iodine tincture and suggests searching for potassium iodide reagents online.
  • Another participant mentions that any transition metal can decompose hydrogen peroxide and suggests using crushed vitamin/mineral pills as a potential catalyst.
  • A warning is given regarding the use of high-concentration hydrogen peroxide, emphasizing the risks of contaminants.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the best source for potassium iodide or the effectiveness of alternative catalysts, with multiple competing views and suggestions presented.

Contextual Notes

Some participants reference specific chemical properties and potential sources for potassium iodide, but there is uncertainty regarding the effectiveness of various alternatives and the specific concentrations of hydrogen peroxide used.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals interested in conducting chemical experiments, particularly those related to demonstrations involving hydrogen peroxide and catalysts.

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I am trying to do the elphant's toothpaste experiment, exepct i can't fint where to but potasium iodine at! Alls that i can find on the web are pills of it to protect your thyroid.
 
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Potassium iodine?
 
The http://www.using-hydrogen-peroxide.com/elephant-toothpaste.html" experiment works by decomposing Hydrogen Peroxide (H2O2), with the aid of a catalyst, which is mixed with some soap. When the H2O2 decomposes it produced Oxygen gas. All that Oxygen forming makes bubbles in the soap and expands to fill (and then over-flow) the container it is placed inside.

Potassium Iodide is used, amongst other things, as a photography chemical.

Although I have never done this myself so as to say for certain that it will work…
Since the catalyst (in this case Potassium Iodide, KI) is not used up in the process of decomposing the H2O2, even the small amount of KI in those thyroid pills may work for your needs.

There are alternative catalysts you may use to decompose H2O2. Manganese Dioxide (MnO2) will also work quite well. MnO2 is a pottery supply chemical and is also found inside dry cell batteries.

http://www.nitrogenorder.org/lessons/household.shtml#retailchem
 
Last edited by a moderator:
In case you didn't notice: it is potasium iodide vs potassium iodine.
 
that video in the link uses a lot of KI. i tried this with 3%H2O2 and detergent and got diddlysquat with a small amount of colorless iodine tincture used (water, alcohol, KI and NH4I).

try a google product search with "potassium iodide reagent"
http://www.poolweb.com/POTASSIUM-IODIDE-CRYSTALS-1-4-LB-
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Any transition metal will decompose peroxide. I've used ferric chloride. I'm sure a crushed up vitamin/mineral pill would do the trick as well. Try mashing up a chewable vitamin pill into a small volume of water and add it to the peroxide.
 
Yeah , just do not do it with peroxide that is 30 % and above , any type of contaminent is bad for peroxide here.
 

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