More trivia,,,
Jun 23, 2015 19:47:25 #
worlds longest running scientific experiment.
Answer: A Jar of Pitch
The longest running experiment in the history of modern science is a simultaneously interesting yet stupendously boring one that, despite peoples best efforts, has never actually been directly observed.
In 1927 at the University of Queensland, one Professor Thomas Parnell patiently began a long-term experiment in order to prove to his students that some substances which appear to be solid are actually extremely high-viscosity fluids. These fluids appear solid at room temperature and, when struck with a hammer, will even shatter, but will in fact move and reform over extended periods of times. Demonstrating such movement is a task for the steadfast.
To that end Dr. Parnell heated a sample of pitch (the bitumen variety historically used to waterproof ships), poured it into a sealed glass funnel, waited three years for it to settle, and then in 1930 he broke the seal to begin the flow process.
Over eight years later, in December of 1938, the first drop fell. Another eight years after that, in 1947, the second drop fell. All told, the experiment has been running nearly a century and a scant 8 drops have fallen. While pitch might be viscous, its viscosity is a staggering 230 billion times that of water. Entire empires could rise and fall before a pitch drop experiment finished filling a gallon jug.
Currently, the experiment is curated by the School of Mathematics and Physics on the Universitys St. Lucia campus. The temperature controlled environment of the building it is on display in has slowed the rate of movement to one drop roughly every 12 years. The last drop fell in the fall of 2000 which means were due for a new drop any day nowfor those of you looking for a cheap and slow-moving thrill, the University has a web cam trained on the experiment at all times.
Answer: A Jar of Pitch
The longest running experiment in the history of modern science is a simultaneously interesting yet stupendously boring one that, despite peoples best efforts, has never actually been directly observed.
In 1927 at the University of Queensland, one Professor Thomas Parnell patiently began a long-term experiment in order to prove to his students that some substances which appear to be solid are actually extremely high-viscosity fluids. These fluids appear solid at room temperature and, when struck with a hammer, will even shatter, but will in fact move and reform over extended periods of times. Demonstrating such movement is a task for the steadfast.
To that end Dr. Parnell heated a sample of pitch (the bitumen variety historically used to waterproof ships), poured it into a sealed glass funnel, waited three years for it to settle, and then in 1930 he broke the seal to begin the flow process.
Over eight years later, in December of 1938, the first drop fell. Another eight years after that, in 1947, the second drop fell. All told, the experiment has been running nearly a century and a scant 8 drops have fallen. While pitch might be viscous, its viscosity is a staggering 230 billion times that of water. Entire empires could rise and fall before a pitch drop experiment finished filling a gallon jug.
Currently, the experiment is curated by the School of Mathematics and Physics on the Universitys St. Lucia campus. The temperature controlled environment of the building it is on display in has slowed the rate of movement to one drop roughly every 12 years. The last drop fell in the fall of 2000 which means were due for a new drop any day nowfor those of you looking for a cheap and slow-moving thrill, the University has a web cam trained on the experiment at all times.
Jun 24, 2015 06:19:02 #
alawry
Loc: Timaru New Zealand
Good story. WHen I was about six my father brought home an open 44 gallon drum half full of tar. I could stand on the tar, and it was outside so filled up with rain. I put in a big stone, I don't know why, and it took a week or more to dissapear. I was fascinated, and over time the drum became full of tar! Well, that's what it looked like. My Dad was a bit grumpy about it when he found out what I was doing. I was always curious and learning, still am sixty years on. It's been a great life. Andrew.
Jun 24, 2015 10:00:27 #
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