States and Changes of Matter — Test

Question 9 • 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 increases the intermolecular forces of water allowing the paperclip to continue to float.

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

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

Soap makes the water less viscous making the paperclip sink.

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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