Can a Paper Clip Float . . .

We tried to make the paper clips float, but they just went right to the bottom of the bowl. 

After several attempts, we tried a different way. One was putting a piece of paper towel down on to the water, then adding the clip to the top. When the paper towel sank, the paper clip stayed on top. Another way was to take another paper clip and bend it as a paper clip holder. Using the holder, we gently placed the paper clip on

to the water. It floated! How does this work? We learned that there is something on top of the water called surface tension. There are molecules on top of the water causing this tension. If the conditions are right, the paper clip can be held up by the surface tension!