100 Years and Counting: The World’s Longest Scientific Experiment”

The Pitch Drop Experiment is a symbol of scientific perseverance and curiosity. Conducted at the University of Queensland, Australia, this experiment has been running for nearly a century, offering insights into the mysterious properties of one of the thickest substances on Earth.

Origins of the ExperimentIn 1927, Australian physicist Thomas Parnell initiated the experiment to demonstrate the fluidity of a substance called pitch, a derivative of tar. At room temperature, pitch appears solid and brittle, shattering easily under impact.

However, Parnell set out to prove its true nature as an extremely viscous liquid.To start the experiment, Parnell heated the pitch and poured it into a glass funnel with a sealed stem. After allowing the pitch to cool and settle for three years, he cut the funnel’s stem in 1930, allowing the pitch to begin its slow, fascinating journey downward.A Century-Long ObservationThe pitch flows so slowly that it took eight years for the first drop to fall. Since then, nine drops have fallen in total, with the next one anticipated this decade.

Remarkably, despite modern tools, no one has witnessed a drop fall in real time due to its glacial pace.The experiment has operated without special environmental controls, with its flow rate subtly influenced by seasonal temperature changes. Over the decades, it has been monitored by several custodians, including the late Professor John Mainstone, who oversaw it for 52 years until his passing in 2013.Key FindingsThe experiment revealed that pitch, while seemingly solid, has a viscosity approximately 100 billion times that of water.

This astonishing discovery has reshaped our understanding of materials and their behavior over long periods.Moreover, there remains enough pitch in the funnel for the experiment to continue for another hundred years, ensuring its place as a continuous symbol of scientific curiosity.RecognitionIn 2005, Thomas Parnell and John Mainstone (posthumously) were awarded the Ig Nobel Prize, a humorous yet thought-provoking award celebrating achievements that make people laugh and think.Why It MattersThe Pitch Drop Experiment exemplifies the beauty of science, showcasing how even the simplest setups can unlock profound insights.

It reminds us that some answers require not just tools or technology but also time, patience, and dedication.As the world evolves at a rapid pace, this century-long experiment offers a lesson in slowing down and marveling at the wonders of nature and science.