Final answer:
A paper clip floats on water due to cohesive forces between water molecules, resulting in surface tension. Hydrogen bonds contribute to this effect, creating a tight 'skin' on the water's surface that supports the paper clip.
Step-by-step explanation:
A paper clip can float on water due to the phenomenon referred to as surface tension, which is a result of the cohesive forces between water molecules.
These forces are due to hydrogen bonding, which allows the water at the surface to hold together tightly, forming a 'skin' that can support light objects such as a paper clip.
The correct answer to why a paper clip floats on water due to hydrogen bonds is therefore B) Lower density.Cohesion and surface tension are critical in keeping the hydrogen bonds among the water molecules intact, creating a sufficient force to counteract the object's weight.
If it is placed gently on the surface without breaking this delicate balance. It is the same reason why insects can walk on water and how water can form droplets that stay on a surface without spreading out.