answersLogoWhite

0


Best Answer

The needle does not break the surface tension (meniscus). Get a small piece of toilet tissue and lay it on a glass of water. lay a needle on the tissue. The tissue will become sodden and sink, leaving the needle floating on the surface tension. Put the smallest drop of washing-up liquid on the water. The surface tension will be destroyed and the needle will sink. Try it.

User Avatar

Wiki User

8y ago
This answer is:
User Avatar

Add your answer:

Earn +20 pts
Q: How can a sewing needle float on the surface of water?
Write your answer...
Submit
Still have questions?
magnify glass
imp
Related questions

Why can a sewing needle can float on the surface of water in glass?

Surface tension


Why can a sewing needle can float on the surface of water in a glass.?

Surface tension


Why can a sewing needle can float on the surface water in a glass?

Yes if the surface tension of the water is not broken. If you are careful you can place a needle on the surface of the water in a glass. Also if you reduce the surface tension with detergent (just a very little is enough) the needle will sink because it's density is greater than that of the water. NO (if the surface tension of the water is broken, a needle cannot float on the surface of water. This is because the needle has higher density than water (density is mass divided by volume).


What makes a needle to float in water?

Water surface tension hold the needle on the water surface.


How does a needle float on water?

the way it float is surface tension!!


Explain why a swing needle can float on the surface of water in a glass?

Due to surface tension, the upper surface of water acts like a stretched membrane which enables it to float a swing needle.


Why does a solid needle placed horizontally on the surface of the water float?

Due to surface tension


What has to have more density for an object to float on water the object or water?

Normally the water - to float and object has to displace a volume of water equal to its mass. If its density is greater than that of water, the maximum mass of water it can displace is its own volume which, as the water is less dense that it, will have less mass than the object and it will sink. However, for small light objects the surface tension of water comes into play - it is possible to float a steel sewing needle (with a density greater than water) on water by gently dropping a clean needle on its side onto the water surface so that it does not break the surface tension. With a needle floating, adding a few drops of washing up liquid to the surface reduces the surface tension and the needle will then sink.


Is a sewing needle magnetic?

Sewing needles are almost always made of steel, which is a magnetic alloy of iron, which is, itself, magnetic. Sometimes we put a bowl of water on the table, rub and tap a sewing needle with one end of a permanent magnet for a few seconds, float the needle on the water (a hint of oil on the needle might help), and construct a homemade magnetic compass.


How does a sewing needle float on water but if you add soap it sinks?

Surface tension. Same phenomena that makes water form beads and droplets on some Surfaces acts like a skin on the water. If laid down gently, something like a needle can be carried by this skin. Soap destroys the Surface tension - one of the reasons why soap helps in getting things Clean - and the needle drops through.


Where would you see surface tension in the world?

It is relatively easy to float a sewing needle on the surface of the water in a glass. The sewing needle is steel, and steel is more dense than water, and should sink. But by carefully placing the needle on the surface of the water (lengthwise), it is not that difficult to make the needle float. It floats due to the surface tension of the water. If you are in the mood to experiment, try a paper clip as well. Make sure there is a little space between the different lengths of the steel so that none of the lengths of the paper clip touch each other. A picture of a floating paper clip can be found in the Wikipedia post linked below. You up for the challenge? Water in a pond or a slow moving stream or river exhibits surface tension that supports a number of organisms (like the oarsman or water strider) that "walk on water" and could not survive without the surface tension of the water for support. Links below are worth the look.


Why is it that a needle may float on a clean water but sink when detergent is added to the water?

Because the detergent reduces the surface tension of the water.