Pitch, and the World's Longest Active Science Experiment

Pitch, and the World's Longest Active Science Experiment

By on Oct 14 2015



You might find it hard to believe, but there is a science project that's been —ongoing since 1927 at the University of Queensland in Brisbane, Australia.

Known as the Pitch Drop Experiment, scientists and observers have been watching pitch (also known as tar or asphalt) drip from a funneled container into a beaker -- with each drop taking years to form and separate.

Pitch is commonly derived from 3% of a barrel of oil, and consists of a hyper-viscous texture that appears to be a solid, but is actually —a fluid. As a matter of fact, the pitch used in this famous experiment has a viscosity that is 230 billion times that of water's. In other words, IT'S THICK!

The Pitch Drop Experiment was started by Professor Thomas Parnell when he poured heated, thinned pitch into a sealed funnel and allowed it to cool for three years. He then cut the seal at the neck of the funnel and allowed the pitch to begin flowing.

Ever since, the container has been encased in a glass dome on the University of Queensland campus -- nabbing the Guinness world record for longest running laboratory experiment in the process.

drop data table

A: After the 7th drop, air conditioning was added, causing temperature stability. 

B: On April 17, 2014: 9th drop touched 8th drop. On April 24, 2014: 9th drop separated from funnel during beaker change.

The tenth drop isn't expected to fall for about another 14 years, but if you'd like to see a live stream of the experiment for yourself, just click here.


You might also be interested in:


Newsletter | September 2023
by Petroleum Service Company on Sep 14 2023

Amp Up Your Undercoating Our friends at Undercoating in a C
monthly newsletter
Understanding Types of Lubricants: Grease
by Sarah Simonovich on Aug 23 2023

Choosing the Right Grease When it comes to your vehicle, your industrial manufacturing equipment, …
automotive grease
Newsletter | August 2023
by Petroleum Service Company on Aug 10 2023

Introducing RADCOLUBE Are your machines experiencing a fric
monthly newsletter