The world's longest experiment l 13 years waiting for one drop

The experiment known as 'tar Drop' considered the longest time in the world, expected developments in the coming days. Specifically awaiting the arrival of a new drop, the first since 2000 and the ninth in the history of this research, which began in 1927, Professor Thomas Parnell. The study is based on a filling funnel tar. With him, Parnell wanted to demonstrate to his students that some substances that appear to be solid, as pitch, are actually high viscosity fluids. From the beginning, the experiment was carried out under atmospheric conditions specially controlled, which has caused that the viscosity of the material varies throughout the year due to fluctuations in temperature. Indeed, in 1988 was air conditioning in the room where the experiment is in the University of Queensland (Australia). Thus, no there is a constant period in relation to the fall of the drops. The first was in 1938 and the second did not fall until 1947. Seven had to wait for the third (1954), like the fourth (1962). The next thing they did in 1970, 1979, 1988 and 2000. scientist custodian of this experiment, John Mainstone, explained to the BBC, which has seen "several drops in management" , which is why the scientific community is waiting for the fall of the ninth drop in the coming days. research, which is on public display in the Australian university has maintained over the years because "when something unusual always want to know more about it" , as explained the scientist. Mainstone has indicated that the most interesting may be "two or three seconds before the drop falls". "In the later stages, the drop is hanging about four fibers. At some point, one of them is broken, creating an unstable situation, as well as other break and the drop falls," he explained. For this event multiple cameras recording the event and even be broadcast live for the curious over the Internet.