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Discussion Questions: Surface Tension: Making Paper Clips Float
What property of water allows it to hold up a paper clip?
What caused the paper clip to sink after the cast members got it to float? Just how careful do you have to be when you are getting the paper clip to float and trying to keep it floating? Does the water have to be especially clean?
Can you think of another example of the surface tension of water holding up an object? Describe the situation.
What do you predict would happen to a floating paper clip if you added detergent to break the surface tension of water?
