Surface tension is the result of the cohesive forces that attract water molecules to one another. This surface force keeps objects more dense than water (meaning they should not float) from sinking into it. The surface tension of water makes it puddle on the ground and keeps it in a droplet shape when it falls.

If you use a table fork to carefully place a paper clip on the surface of some clean water, you will find that the paper clip, although more dense than water, will remain on the water's surface. If you look closely, you will see that the surface is bent by the weight of the paper clip much as your skin bends when you push on it with your finger.

A molecule inside a volume of water is pulled equally in all directions by the other molecules of water that surround it...