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Items needed.

a tissue paper (half the size of a dollar bill)

a paper clip

a bowl full of water

pencil with eraser

method.

1.

  1. Fill the bowl with water
  2. Try to make the paper clip float...not much luck, huh?
  3. Tear a piece of tissue paper about half the size of a dollar bill
  4. GENTLY drop the tissue flat onto the surface of the water
  5. GENTLY place a dry paper clip flat onto the tissue (try not to touch the water or the tissue)
  6. Use the eraser end of the pencil to carefully poke the tissue (not the paper clip) until the tissue sinks. With some luck, the tissue will sink and leave the paper clip floating!

how is it possible?

How is this possible? With a little thing we scientists call SURFACE TENSION. Basically it means that there is a sort of skin on the surface of water where the water molecules hold on tight together. If the conditions are right, they can hold tight enough to support your paper clip. The paperclip is not truly floating, it is being held up by the surface tension. Many insects, such as water striders, use this "skin" to walk across the surface of a stream.

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13y ago

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Related Questions

Could a paperclip float on regular water?

no


How long can a paperclip float?

A paperclip can float for several minutes in water depending on its size and weight distribution. The buoyancy of the paperclip allows it to stay afloat until it becomes waterlogged and eventually sinks.


Does soap affect the ability of the paperclip to float?

Yes, soap can affect the ability of the paperclip to float because soap lowers the surface tension of water. When the surface tension is reduced, the paperclip may no longer be able to stay afloat and could sink.


Why does a paperclip float in water because of surface tension or weight displacement?

A paperclip can float on water due to surface tension, which is the cohesive force between water molecules that creates a "skin" on the surface. This surface tension allows the paperclip to rest on top of the water without sinking, despite its weight. The weight of the paperclip does displace some water, but it's the surface tension that counteracts the force of gravity, enabling it to float. If the paperclip were to be pushed beneath the surface, it would break the surface tension and sink.


What property of liquids will allow a paperclip to float on water?

Surface tension is the property of liquids that allows a paperclip to float on water. Surface tension is caused by the cohesive forces between water molecules, creating a "skin" on the surface strong enough to support the weight of the paperclip.


Why a clip float in water?

Because the paperclip is not dense enough to break the surface tension of the water


Does the shape of the paperclip affect its floating ability?

The shape of a paperclip can affect its floating ability if it alters the distribution of weight and buoyancy. A paperclip with a more streamlined shape is likely to float better than one with irregular bends and angles that may disrupt its balance in water.


What is the problem statement of a floating paperclip?

The problem statement would typically involve how to make a paperclip float or suspend in a liquid, such as water, without sinking or fully submerging. The challenge may be to find a way to alter the paperclip's buoyancy or surface tension of the liquid to achieve this desired effect.


Does a paperclip float better in water or in midair?

In water because the higher density of molecules gives the paper clips a surface to rest on.


How do you make a paper clip float?

if you want to make it float follow this steps 1. cut a small piece of paper 2.take a paperclip and attached it to the paper 3.carefully place the paper on the water trying not to get water on top of the paper there you have it a floating paperclip


What does a magnet do to a paperclip?

A magnet can attract a paperclip by creating a magnetic field that pulls the iron-based metal of the paperclip towards it. This attraction is known as magnetic force, and it causes the paperclip to stick to the magnet.


Why we were able to float a paper clip on the surface of water What type of bonds were present that allowed this to happen?

The reason that your paperclip was able to float on water, was due to the upthrust (The force that acts upwards due to water pressure) being greater than the weight of the weight (the downwards force due to mass x gravity) . The paper clip is less dense than water, and therefore will float.