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Purpose
To observe that water can rise above the edge of its container, without spilling.

Procedure
1.	Place the cup on the saucer.
2.	Fill the cup to the brim with water.
3.	Drop one paper clip at a time into the cup until the water spills over the rim. Note: After the addition of each paper clip, look at the water's surface from the side.

Results
The water rises above the rim of the cup. The height of the water continues to rise as the paper clips are added. The water finally splits over the rim.

Why?
Water molecules across the surface are attracted to each other. This attraction is strong enough to allow the water to rise above the top of the cup without spilling. The bulge of water above the rim finally gets so high that the molecules of water can no longer hold together, and over the rim they go.