Question

a student places a small amount of water in a glass dish and then carefully places a small paperclip on the surface of the water. the paperclip floats. what happens if the student adds a drop or two of dish soap to the water? check all that apply. the paperclip falls through the water to the bottom of the dish. the soap acts as a surfactant. the soap increases the surface tension of the water. the soap decreases the surface tension of the water. done

Explanation:

• The paperclip floats initially due to water's surface tension. Dish soap is a surfactant, which reduces water's surface tension. When surface tension decreases, the paperclip can't be supported anymore and falls to the bottom. So the correct options are the ones stating the paperclip falls, soap is a surfactant, and soap decreases surface tension (the third option is incorrect as soap lowers, not increases, surface tension).

Answer:

A. The paperclip falls through the water to the bottom of the dish, B. The soap acts as a surfactant, D. The soap decreases the surface tension of the water