States and Changes of Matter — Test

Question 20 • Chemistry

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

Answer

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

Soap makes the water more viscous allowing the paperclip to continue to float.

Soap makes the water less viscous making the paperclip sink.

Soap is a surfactant that increases the intermolecular forces of water allowing the paperclip to continue to float.

Explanation

A paperclip can rest on water because water’s surface tension, caused by attraction between water molecules, supports it. Dishwashing detergent is a surfactant that weakens this surface tension by disrupting those attractions. The surface can no longer support the paperclip, so it will most likely sink; this matches choice A.

AI-written and checked against the verified answer.

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