The –est Physics

Oldest pitch-drop experiment

Scientists watch the glacial flow of the substance

Physicist John Mainstone (left), who died in August after overseeing the Queensland pitch experiment for 52 years, never saw a fall.

UNIV. OF QUEENSLAND

   

By Andrew Grant

- More than 2 years ago

Grass grows quicker. Paint dries faster. Yet there’s something irresistible about watching the glacial flow of pitch.

And now a long-forgotten experiment with pitch has come to light, probably the oldest known of its kind.