Surface Tension of Water: The Floating Paper Clip
Description: A paper clip is carefully placed on the water surface. It sinks when detergent is added to the water surface.
Source: Summerlin, L.R. and Ealy, J.L. Chemical Demonstrations: A Sourcebook for Teachers; 2nd Edition
Year: 1985 Vol: 2 Page: 19
Keywords: Float, Paper clip, Surface tension, Detergent
Rating: 
Hazard: Low
- Breakage hazard
Effectiveness: Good
- Good connection from demo to course material
- Clear contrast between behavior of systems
- Time to results is low
- Moderate reliability
- Results are difficult to perceive
Difficulty: Medium
- Careful manipulations required
- Clean equipment required
- Simple procedures
- Clean gloves required during performance
- Demos in which a display is used
Safety Precautions:
- Eye protection required
- Gloves required
- Absorbent material on hand
Class: Liquids and Solids, Intermolecular Forces, Thermodynamics
Division: General, Physical Chemistry
Home| General Chemistry Demos| Physical Chemistry Demos