Malia was able to make a paper lip float on the surface of water. What will most likely happen to the paperclip if a drop of dishwashing detergent is added near it?

Question

Halle Shelton

Chemistry

4 August, 16:03

Malia was able to make a paper lip float on the surface of water. What will most likely happen to the paperclip if a drop of dishwashing detergent is added near it?

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Answers (2)

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Nehemiah Nicholson · Answer 1

Soap is a surfactant that disrupts the intermolecular forces of water making the paperclip sink.

Antony Mcbride · Answer 2

If a drop of dishwashing detergent is added near it, the paperclip most likely will;

Soap is a surfactant that disrupts the intermolecular forces of water making the paperclip sink.

The paperclip is able to float on the surface of water due to its surface tension.

When soap is added to water, it reduces the surface tension. Soap disrupts the intermolecular forces that hold the molecules on the surface tightly like a film.

Thus, the paperclip sinks into the water.