The Floating Wire Challenge

Compass-floating_needle_on_water
Credit: Wikimedia/Johan

How to do The floating wire challenge

Challenge criteria: Iron objects sink in water, right? However, this challenge involves using science to make a small piece of iron wire float on water.

 

Materials needed: Iron wire and a bowl of water.

 

Challenge tips: Water acts like a stretched membrane, like Saran wrap. The trick is to keep the piece of wire on the water surface for a long time, with some support that can be removed without your intervention. Flatter objects float easily.

Challenge reflection

Ships are made of iron, yet they don’t sink. Why is it so?

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