Take a glass that is partially filled with water and drop a cork into it. The cork won't float in the center, but keeps drifting to one side and attaching itself to the side of the glass.

\-------------------/
 \                 /
  \##-------------/
   \             /
    \           /
     \         /
      \_______/

Without swirling the water, how can you make the cork float in the center?

(In reply to spoiler by JLo)

Waiter!  Yes, put it there ..... and don't spill!!!

I had visions of adding some hydrocarbon to the surface; I recall something like a small wooden "boat" being propelled by a block of camphor being placed in its proximity.  I was wondering if such a material might have affected the surface in some way, tension, .... don't really know.

Well, if the waiter can deliver the glass, no spills, remove the cork, then I may have a fresh clean [green, no, no colouring added] drink.

Good thinking 99!!

Posted by brianjn on 2006-10-02 09:18:15