Floating Paper Clip
Materials:
Directions:
Explanation: One property of water is surface tension. Water molecules are attracted to each other, but the molecules on the surface have no molecules above them to be attracted to. Because they are attracted to molecules all around and below them, a tension is formed. This tension forms a thin skin on top of the water. This skin is strong enough to support the paper clip. But if the clip is lowered at an angle, or hits the water with too much force, the surface tension is broken. Another demonstration of surface tension would be to observe water striders or other water insects that "walk on water".