Floating Paper Clip
Paper Clip Float
You need:
- Paperclip
- Fork
- Bowl of Water
- Dish Detergent
Directions:
1. Place the Paper Clip on the fork and gently lower it into the bowl of
water.
2. Does the Paper Clip float or sink with the fork?
3. Lift the fork out of the bowl without touching the Paper Clip.
4. Add 1 drop of soap. What happens?
Explanation:
Water is a polar chemical. That means each water particle, called a
molecule, has a positive and negative charge. The water molecules are
attracted to each other and "stick" together. The positive end of one
molecule sits next to the negative end of another molecule. The water
particles at the surface "stick" only to particles next to and below them.
this makes the surface act as if it had a thin "skin". This is called
surface tension. The surface tension of water is strong enough to
support a paperclip! The fork helps you lower the paperclip gently into
the water without breaking the surface tension.
When you put soap into the water, it disrupts the order of the water
molecules. The water molecules are no longer lined up from positive to
negative, so the surface tension is no longer strong enough to support
the weight of the paperclip. The paperclip falls into the water.
You need:
- Paperclip
- Fork
- Bowl of Water
- Dish Detergent
Directions:
1. Place the Paper Clip on the fork and gently lower it into the bowl of
water.
2. Does the Paper Clip float or sink with the fork?
3. Lift the fork out of the bowl without touching the Paper Clip.
4. Add 1 drop of soap. What happens?
Explanation:
Water is a polar chemical. That means each water particle, called a
molecule, has a positive and negative charge. The water molecules are
attracted to each other and "stick" together. The positive end of one
molecule sits next to the negative end of another molecule. The water
particles at the surface "stick" only to particles next to and below them.
this makes the surface act as if it had a thin "skin". This is called
surface tension. The surface tension of water is strong enough to
support a paperclip! The fork helps you lower the paperclip gently into
the water without breaking the surface tension.
When you put soap into the water, it disrupts the order of the water
molecules. The water molecules are no longer lined up from positive to
negative, so the surface tension is no longer strong enough to support
the weight of the paperclip. The paperclip falls into the water.
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