This is an awesome science experiment for young kids and older ones, too! How many paper clips can you fit in a glass of water? The answer might surprise you! We have tons of fun and easy science experiments for you to try!
PAPERCLIPS IN WATER EXPERIMENT
Have leftover paper clips? Try our floating paper clip experiment or paper clip chain STEM challenge!
SUPPLIES:
- Glass
- Water
- Box of Paper clips
INSTRUCTIONS:
STEP 1: Fill a glass with water as full as you can, without spilling any out. Make sure to discuss how many paper clips kids predict will fit in the glass.
STEP 2: Now add the paper clips, one at a time. Make sure to count them as you put them in.
What do you notice happens to the water?
STEP 3: Continue adding more paper clips until finally, the water begins to spill over the edge.
Did the water behave the way you thought it would? How many paper clips did it take to push the water out?
No water spilled out? Why not repeat the experiment using a smaller glass. Read on to find out why so many paper clips can fit in a glass of water.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
Were you surprised that many more paper clips would fit in the glass than you predicted?
Surface tension and cohesion are why you can get so many paper clips in the glass without spilling. Cohesion is the “stickiness” of like molecules to one another. Water molecules love to stick together! Learn more about surface tension.
Surface tension is the result of all the water molecules sticking together. Once the water has reached the top of the glass, a dome shape begins to form. This is due to the surface tension forming a shape with the least surface area possible (like bubbles)!
MORE FUN SCIENCE EXPERIMENTS
Turn It Into A Science Fair Project
Science projects are an excellent way for older kids to demonstrate their knowledge of science. They can also be used in various environments, including classrooms and groups.
Kids can take everything they have learned about using the scientific method, stating a hypothesis, choosing variables, making observations, and analyzing and presenting data.
Want to turn one of these experiments into an awesome science fair project? Check out these helpful resources.
Helpful Science Resources To Get You Started
Here are a few resources that will help you introduce science more effectively to your kiddos or students and feel confident yourself when presenting materials. You’ll find helpful free printables throughout.
