LESSON 15: Floating Paper Clips
ESTIMATED TIME Setup: 5 minutes | Procedure: 5–10 minutes
• DESCRIPTION • MATERIALS
Utilize a careful technique to make a paper clip o Plastic cups
“float” on top of water. o Water
o Forks
• OBJECTIVE o Tissues or toilet paper
This lesson demonstrates a property of liquids known o Paper clips
as surface tension and explains the difference between o Liquid soap
surface tension and buoyancy. Students use a careful
technique to keep a paper clip suspended on the Always remember to use the appropriate safety
surface of a cup of water. The lesson can be simplified equipment when conducting your experiment.
to reinforce the different properties of matter. Refer to the Safety First section in the Resource Guide
on pages 421–423 for more detailed information about
• CONTENT TOPICS safety in the classroom.
Scientific inquiry; measurement; states of matter;
properties of matter; attractive forces (surface tension) Jump ahead to page 190 to view the
Experimental Procedure.
NATIONAL SCIENCE EDUCATION STANDARDS SUBJECT MATTER
This lesson applies both Dimension 1: Scientific and Engineering Practices and Dimension 2: Crosscutting Concepts
from “A Framework for K–12 Science Education,” established as a guide for the updated National Science Education
Standards. In addition, this lesson covers the following Disciplinary Core Ideas from that framework:
• PS1.A: Structure and Properties of Matter
• PS2.A: Forces and Motion
• ETS2.A: Interdependence of Science, Engineering, and Technology (see Analysis & Conclusion)
• ETS2.B: Influence of Engineering, Technology, and Science on Society and the Natural World
(see Analysis & Conclusion)
OBSERVATION & RESEARCH
BACKGROUND An object suspended by water’s surface tension is
Liquids are a state of matter that have a definite volume different from an object that is floating because of
but no definite shape. Examples of liquids are water and buoyancy. Buoyancy is the upward force that a fluid
orange juice. One unique property of liquids is called exerts on an object that enables the object to float.
surface tension. Surface tension is a property of liquids The buoyant force on an object is equal to the weight of
that describes the attraction of liquid particles at the the fluid displaced by the object. A fluid is any substance
surface. The strong attraction of particles at the surface made up of particles that flow or move freely such as
of the liquid creates a surface “film” that makes moving liquids and gases. Fluids easily change shape when a
an object through the surface of a liquid more difficult force is applied. Displacement is the act of moving
than moving the object when it is completely submerged something out of its original position or of one substance
in the liquid. Surface tension is also the reason liquids taking the place of another.
tend to keep a low surface area. For example, water
droplets will tend to form into a sphere rather than
spreading out flat.
Chemist®Activity
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LESSON 15: Floating Paper Clips
Weight is also a measure of force. Weight is a measure
of the pull of gravity between an object and the earth. CONNECT TO THE YOU BE THE
Therefore, an object will float when the upward force on CHEMIST CHALLENGE
an object (buoyant force) is greater than the downward For additional background information, please
force on the object (gravity or the object’s weight). review CEF’s Challenge study materials online at
[Link]
In the experiment, the force of buoyancy is not enough
to allow a paper clip to float. The metal that makes up • Additional information on states of matter and
the paper clip is denser than the water. In addition, properties of matter, including surface tension,
because its metal structure is so thin, the amount of can be found in the Classification of Matter
water the paper clip displaces is minimal. Thus, the section of CEF’s Passport to Science Exploration:
paper clip has a greater weight than the water it displaces. The Core of Chemistry.
If you simply drop a paper clip in water, it will sink. • Additional information on displacement can be
found in the Laboratory Equipment section of
However, using a specific technique, a paper clip can
CEF’s Passport to Science Exploration: The Core
essentially sit on top of the water. By placing a piece of
of Chemistry.
tissue or a fork on the water first, a platform is created for
the paper clip. When the paper clip is laid horizontally on
the water, and the platform is removed, the paper clip will
remain suspended. If you push the paper clip slightly,
HYPOTHESIS
it will sink. Remember, the paper clip is not floating;
it is sitting on the surface of the water being supported uA paper clip placed horizontally on
by surface tension. the surface of a cup of water using a careful
technique will stay on top of the water because
In contrast, soap is a surfactant. A surfactant (or surface of surface tension. If soap is added, the paper clip
active agent) is a substance that has the ability to reduce will sink.
the surface tension of a liquid. Therefore, when a drop of
soap is added to the water, the surface tension of the water
is reduced. Even a single drop of soap will reduce the
surface tension of water enough that the paper clip can no
longer rest on top.
FORMULAS & EQUATIONS
Over 2,000 years ago, ancient Greek mathematician
Archimedes discovered how buoyancy works.
He determined the following:
Buoyant force on an object = weight of fluid
displaced by object.
Therefore, if a boat weighs 1,000 pounds, it will sink
into the water until it has displaced 1,000 pounds of
water. If the boat displaces 1,000 pounds of water before
it is submerged, the boat will float. If more and more
weight is added to the boat, such as when a leak allows
water to enter the boat, the weight of the boat will
exceed the weight of the water it displaces and sink.
You Be The Chemist® Activity Guide | page 188
LESSON 15: Floating Paper Clips
DIFFERENTIATION IN THE CLASSROOM
LOWER GRADE LEVELS/BEGINNERS tension of a liquid. Therefore, when a drop of soap is
DESCRIPTION added to water, the surface tension of the water is
Utilize a careful technique to make a paper clip “float” reduced, and the paper clip falls to the bottom of the cup.
on top of water.
HIGHER GRADE LEVELS/ADVANCED STUDENTS
OBJECTIVE Perform the experiment as described on page 190, and
This lesson explores the liquid state of matter and a then challenge students to get other materials to rest on
unique property of liquids known as surface tension. top of the water. Discuss what is causing these items to
float or sink. Is it surface tension, buoyancy, a
OBSERVATION & RESEARCH combination of both, or something else entirely?
Matter is anything that has mass and takes up space.
It is everything around us! It is characterized and classified
by its properties. Mass and volume are two basic
properties of all matter. Mass is a measure of the amount
CONNECT TO THE YOU BE THE
of matter in a substance. Volume is a measure of the
CHEMIST CHALLENGE
amount of space an object occupies.
For additional background information, please
Matter exists primarily as a solid, liquid, or gas on the review CEF’s Challenge study materials online at
earth. Solids have a definite volume and a definite shape. [Link]
Examples of solids are chairs, books, and paper clips.
Liquids have a definite volume but no definite shape. • Additional information on types of physical
Examples of liquids are milk and water. Gases have no measurements can be found in the Measurement
definite shape and no definite volume. Examples of gases section of CEF’s Passport to Science Exploration:
are the oxygen and water vapor in the air we breathe. The Core of Chemistry.
Along with differences in shape and volume, the different • Additional information on states of matter and
states of matter have other unique properties. For example, properties of matter, including surface tension, can
surface tension is a property of liquids that describes the be found in the Classification of Matter section of
attraction of liquid particles at the surface. The strong CEF’s Passport to Science Exploration: The Core
attraction of particles at the surface of the liquid creates a of Chemistry.
surface “film” that makes moving an object through the
surface of a liquid more difficult than moving the object
when it is completely submerged in the liquid.
Water has a very high surface tension because of strong
attractions between the water molecules (hydrogen
bonding). In this experiment, simply dropping the paper
clip in the water easily breaks the surface tension. As a
result, the paper clip falls to the bottom of the cup.
However, when placed horizontally on the surface with a
careful technique, the high surface tension of the water
supports the paper clip on the surface.
Liquid dish soap is a different type of liquid substance,
called a surfactant (or surface active agent). A surfactant
is a substance that has the ability to reduce the surface
You Be The Chemist® Activity Guide | page 189
LESSON 15: Floating Paper Clips
EXPERIMENTATION
As the students perform the experiment, challenge them to identify the independent, dependent, and controlled variables,
as well as whether there is a control setup for the experiment. (Hint: If students try different techniques to put the paper
clip on the water, does the action of the paper clip change?) Review the information in the Scientific Inquiry section on
pages 14–16 to discuss variables.
EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE DATA COLLECTION
1. Fill a cup with water. Be sure there is no soap Have students record data in their science notebooks or
residue in the cup. on the following activity sheet. What happens to the
paper clip when the tissue paper or fork is submerged?
2. Place a piece of tissue or toilet paper, big enough What happens when soap is added? Have students
to support the paper clip, on the water. answer the questions on the activity sheet (or similar
ones of your own) to guide the process.
3. Gently place the paper clip horizontally on top of
the tissue so that the tissue supports the paper clip.
4. Use a fork to very gently submerge the tissue
by pushing down on the tissue from its edges.
Do not touch the paper clip with the fork.
5. Once the tissue is submerged, watch as the paper
clip continues to be suspended on the surface of
the water.
6. While the paper clip is suspended, add one drop
of soap to the water where the paper clip is
suspended. Watch as the paper clip sinks.
7. Repeat the experiment, but this time, add one drop
of soap to the water first. See if you can make the
paper clip “float.”
Tissues and toilet paper typically come in layers.
Only one layer is needed and works the best.
If you cannot get the tissue to work, you can
just use the fork. Place the paper clip on the
fork and hold the fork so the paper clip is resting on the
fork at the water’s surface. Then, slowly submerge the
fork in the water. The paper clip should remain
suspended on the water’s surface.
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LESSON 15: Floating Paper Clips
ANALYSIS & CONCLUSION
Use the questions from the activity sheet or your own MODIFICATIONS/EXTENSIONS
questions to discuss the experimental data. Ask students Modifications and extensions provide alternative methods
to determine whether they should accept or reject their for performing the lesson or similar lessons. They also
hypotheses. Review the information in the Scientific introduce ways to expand on the content topics presented
Inquiry section on pages 14–16 to discuss valid and and think beyond those topics. Use the following
invalid hypotheses. examples, or have a discussion to generate other ideas as
a class.
ASSESSMENT/GOALS
Upon completion of this lesson, students should be able • Before the experiment, ask the students if a paper
to … clip will float or sink in water. See if the students can
get a paper clip to float on top of the water before
• Apply a scientific inquiry process and perform an explaining the procedure for this experiment. Tell the
experiment. students that you can get the paper clip to float. Show
them the suspended paper clip, and ask them if they
• Understand the property of surface tension.
know how this is possible. Ask them if they know
• Describe the force of buoyancy and how it relates what surface tension is and the role it plays in this
to fluids and displacement. experiment. Have the students try the experiment.
K-4 See Lesson 26: Swimming Specs for a simplified
• Differentiate between surface tension and buoyancy.
lesson on surface tension.
• Describe the effects of soap, a surfactant, on surface See Lesson 7: Milk Rainbow for a more advanced
5-8
tension. lesson on surface tension.
• Define and identify different types of measurements, REAL-WORLD APPLICATIONS
such as mass and volume (see Differentiation in the
• Surfactants, such as liquid dish soap, detergents, fabric
Classroom).
softeners, and shampoo, play an important role in
• Compare and contrast the different states of matter cleaning products because they break up grease and
and provide examples of each (see Differentiation in stains. One side of a surfactant particle attracts the fats
and oil, while the other side attracts the water. This
the Classroom).
interaction allows the water to mix with the fats and
oils and wash them away.
• The effects of surface tension can be seen in the
formation of raindrops or the “beading” of rainwater.
Water will form into spheres (droplets) rather than
spread out completely because of the attraction of
water molecules. Likewise, ask students if they have
ever filled a cup with water slightly above the rim
without the water spilling over. Ask them if they can
figure out why.
COMMUNICATION
Discuss the results as a class and review the activity sheet.
Review the information in the Scientific Inquiry section on
pages 14–16 to discuss the importance of communication
to scientific progress.
You Be The Chemist® Activity Guide | page 191
LESSON 15 ACTIVITY SHEET: Floating Paper Clips
OBSERVE & RESEARCH
1. Write down the materials you observe. ________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
2. Predict how these materials may be used. ______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
3. Define the following key terms. Then, provide an example of each by writing the example or drawing/pasting an
image of the example.
Term Definition Example (write or add image)
Liquid
Surface tension
Buoyancy
Fluid
Displacement
Weight
Surfactant
4. Consider what will happen if you place a paper clip in a cup of water and why. Then, consider ways to keep the
paper clip on the surface.
uWrite your hypothesis. ______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
You Be The Chemist® Activity Guide | page 192
LESSON 15 ACTIVITY SHEET: Floating Paper Clips
PERFORM YOUR EXPERIMENT
1. Fill a cup with water. Be sure there is no soap residue in the cup.
2. Place a piece of tissue or toilet paper, big enough to support the paper clip, on the water.
3. Gently place the paper clip horizontally on top of the tissue so that the tissue supports the paper clip.
4. Use a fork to very gently submerge the tissue by pushing down on the tissue from its edges. Do not touch the paper
clip with the fork. Observe what happens.
5. If the paper clip remains on the surface of the water, add one drop of soap to the water where the paper clip is
suspended. Observe what happens.
6. Repeat steps 1–4, but this time, add one drop of soap to the water before adding the tissue and paper clip. Observe.
ANALYZE & CONCLUDE
1. What happens when you first place the tissue on the water? ______________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
2. What happens when you place the paper clip horizontally on the tissue? ____________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
3. When the tissue is submerged, does the paper clip remain on top of the water? Why or why not? ________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
4. What happens when you add soap to the water? ____________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
5. Is your hypothesis valid? Why or why not? If not, what would be your next steps? ____________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
You Be The Chemist®Activity Guide | page 193
ActivityGuides
LESSON 15 ACTIVITY SHEET: Floating Paper Clips
SHARE YOUR KNOWLEDGE
1. Define the following key terms. Then, provide an example of each by writing the example or drawing/pasting an
image of the example.
Term Definition Example (write or add image)
Matter
Mass
Volume
Solid
Liquid
Gas
2. List other examples of surface tension. ________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
3. Do all liquids have the same surface tension? How do you know? ____________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
You Be The Chemist® Activity Guide | page 194
LESSON 15 ACTIVITY SHEET: Floating Paper Clips
ANSWER KEY: Below are suggested answers. Other answers may also be acceptable.
OBSERVE & RESEARCH
1. Write down the materials you observe. ________________________________________________________________
Water, forks, paper clips, tissue or toilet paper, liquid dish soap …
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
2. Predict how these materials may be used. ______________________________________________________________
The water may be used to drink, clean, or bathe. The forks may be used to pick up food.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
The tissue paper may be used to package something or for cleaning. Paper clips may be used to hold pieces of paper together. Liquid dish
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
soap may be used to clean dishes. Together, these materials may be used to explore physical properties.
3. Define the following key terms. Then, provide an example of each by writing the example or drawing/pasting an
image of the example.
Term Definition Example (write or add image)
A state of matter that has a definite volume but no
Liquid definite shape; a liquid will take the shape of the
container that holds it, filling the bottom first.
A property of liquids that describes the attraction of
liquid particles at the surface; the strong attraction
Surface tension of particles at the surface of a liquid creates a
surface “film.”
An upward force that a fluid exerts on an object and
Buoyancy enables the object to float.
Any substance made up of particles that flow or
Fluid move freely, such as a liquid or gas.
The act of moving something out of its original
Displacement position or of one substance taking the place of
another.
A measure of the pull of gravity between an object
Weight and the earth.
Any substance with the ability to reduce the surface
Surfactant tension of a liquid; also known as a surface active
agent.
4. Consider what will happen if you place a paper clip in a cup of water and why. Then, consider ways to keep the
paper clip on the surface.
uWrite your hypothesis. ______________________________________________________________
A paper clip will normally sink in water because it has a greater density than water and
______________________________________________________________________________________
weighs more than the water it can displace. However, a paper clip can be suspended on top of water because of the
______________________________________________________________________________________
water’s surface tension.
You Be The Chemist® Activity Guide | page 195
LESSON 15 ACTIVITY SHEET: Floating Paper Clips
ANSWER KEY: Below are suggested answers. Other answers may also be acceptable.
PERFORM YOUR EXPERIMENT
1. Fill a cup with water. Be sure there is no soap residue in the cup.
2. Place a piece of tissue or toilet paper, big enough to support the paper clip, on the water.
3. Gently place the paper clip horizontally on top of the tissue so that the tissue supports the paper clip.
4. Use a fork to very gently submerge the tissue by pushing down on the tissue from its edges. Do not touch the paper
clip with the fork. Observe what happens.
5. If the paper clip remains on the surface of the water, add one drop of soap to the water where the paper clip is
suspended. Observe what happens.
6. Repeat steps 1–4, but this time, add one drop of soap to the water before adding the tissue and paper clip. Observe.
ANALYZE & CONCLUDE
1. What happens when you first place the tissue on the water? When you place the tissue on the water, the tissue rests on the
______________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
top of the water. The surface tension of the water prevents the tissue from sinking down to the bottom of the cup.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
2. What happens when you place the paper clip horizontally on the tissue? ____________________________________
When you place a paper clip on the tissue, the
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
paper clip will rest on top of the tissue.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
3. When the tissue is submerged, does the paper clip remain on top of the water? Why or why not? ________________
When the tissue is
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
submerged, the paper clip remains on top of the water because of the surface tension of the water.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
4. What happens when you add soap to the water? ____________________________________________________________
Adding soap reduces the surface tension of water. Soap, a surfactant, will cause
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
the paper clip to sink.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
5. Is your hypothesis valid? Why or why not? If not, what would be your next steps? ____________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
Answer 1: Valid because the data support my hypothesis.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
Answer 2: Invalid because the data do not support my hypothesis. I would reject my hypothesis and could form a new one, such as …
You Be The Chemist® Activity Guide | page 196
LESSON 15 ACTIVITY SHEET: Floating Paper Clips
ANSWER KEY: Below are suggested answers. Other answers may also be acceptable.
SHARE YOUR KNOWLEDGE—BEGINNERS
Have students complete this section if you used the beginners’ differentiation information, or challenge them to find the answers to these
questions at home and discuss how these terms relate to the experiment in class the next day.
1. Define the following key terms. Then, provide an example of each by writing the example or drawing/pasting an
image of the example.
Term Definition Example (write or add image)
Any substance that has mass and takes up space; matter is
Matter generally found as a solid, liquid, or gas on the earth.
Mass A measure of the amount of matter in a substance.
A physical property that measures the amount of space a
Volume substance occupies.
A state of matter characterized by a definite volume and
Solid definite shape.
A state of matter that has a definite volume but no definite
Liquid shape; a liquid will take the shape of the container that holds
it, filling the bottom first.
A state of matter that has no definite volume or shape; a gas
Gas will take the shape of the container that holds it, filling the
entire container.
2. List other examples of surface tension. ________________________________________________________________
Examples of surface tension include the beading of rainwater and skipping of rocks.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
3. Do all liquids have the same surface tension? How do you know? ____________________________________________
No, all liquids do not have the same surface tension.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
Vegetable oil has a lower surface tension than water and will spread farther than water if the same amount of both liquids are poured on
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
a flat surface.
You Be The Chemist® Activity Guide | page 197
