Talk:Pitch drop experiment

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[edit] Why?

As far as I can see, this article never explains the point of the experiment. What did Parnell hope to learn? The viscosity? The drop frequency should be well determined by now after eight drops, and the viscosity of the pitch has apparently already been estimated from that. Were there other goals that have not yet not been achieved? Just higher precision? Is the experiment continued for any scientific reason, or simply because of its curiosity value? --mglg(talk) 21:28, 13 September 2006 (UTC)

From the university web information it seems that the "experiment" was never actually intended as a scientific measurement but simply as a demonstration, for teaching purposes, that some apparently solid materials do behave like high-viscosity fluids. I added a phrase to this effect. --mglg(talk) 21:49, 13 September 2006 (UTC)


Experiments don't always need a point? It is wonderful and thought provoking! Just think of the things that have happened in the world and its still dripping.--Screen42 23:47, 21 February 2007 (UTC)

Why not? Femto 13:29, 22 February 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Now have a reply from University of Queensland

I just recieved the reply to my request above for permission:

Your recent message to UQ Physics found its way to me, as the Custodian of the Pitch Drop Experiment. There is no way in which I would want to see the present image deleted from the Wikipedia page. So long as the indicated acknowledgment is given, I am happy for that image to be 'used' by anyone with a legitimate interest in the experiment. Would you therefore please spell out for me now the form of words that need to be used to ensure that the image remains on the Wikipedia page, and then will continue to be available for use by interested persons.
John Mainstone
Professor J S Mainstone OAM
School of Physical Sciences : Physics
The University of Queensland Q 4072
and
Adjunct Professor, ACU National

I will now consult the forms or maybe one of you could help me if it is too confusing. I want to see if we can get this permission business straightened out.--Filll 21:10, 19 December 2006 (UTC)

Ok now I have looked at the page on Wikipedia about permission. It is not at all clear to me what we need to do now. What next?--Filll 21:14, 19 December 2006 (UTC)

Seeing as both pictures are from Commons, I have removed the photo request tag. Kevin 01:43, 20 June 2007 (UTC)
That poor professor, I'm currently harrassing him about the commons pictures too. The pics on the Commons might get erased soon, in which case I'll re-upload my copies to English wikipedia alone. WLU 11:30, 20 June 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Parallel Experiments

Around 1976 the University of St Andrews (Fife, Scotland) had a similar experiment that had been running for several decades. I'm afraid I don't remember the actual start date, but it may well have rivalled or preceded that of the University of Queensland's. As this experiment is very simple to set up and maintain, I suspect that other academic institutions may also have one running, hidden away somewhere and likely forgotten.40.0.96.1 (talk) 11:13, 23 November 2007 (UTC)

Need a reliable source to add anything to the page. WLU (talk) 11:58, 23 November 2007 (UTC)