A paperclip is balanced so that it floats on top of water.

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"Quick Clips" are clips of random experiments in a minute or less.

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Music By:
Music by Jason Shaw (RP-Clattertrap)
http://www.audionautix.com

Project Inspired By:

My dad. When I was a kid he showed me we could make a needle float on water using a method like this. (an example would be eg. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tu9o4JXulvo). I wondered if it would work with a paperclip, and it did. Many many people have thought of it and done it before me.

WARNING: Use of video content is at own risk.

Project History & More Info:

This was a fun experiment I used to do with my dad when I was young. It's very common and has been around forever, but in the back of my young mind I always thought it would be cool to make a video one day so everyone could do it.

Trying to get a paperclip to float on water is nearly impossible because it's heavier than water, but my dad showed me that if you simply put a piece of toilet paper on top of the water, then drop the clip on top, the paper will slowly sink to the bottom and leave the clip floating on the top due to surface tension. You can then reach in carefully and remove the toilet paper to remove any evidence.

Since making this video, I've also seen another way you can do it, by slowing lowering it down onto the surface of the water using another paperclip.