Is a cat a liquid?
On the rheology of cats
A physicist asks the big question: is a cat a liquid? Answer: under the right conditions, yes.
Ig Nobel 2017
Rheology is the science of how things flow. A liquid takes the shape of its container, and cats famously pour themselves into sinks, boxes and vases.
Using real rheology concepts, the author shows that whether a cat counts as a solid or a liquid depends on how long you watch it. Given enough time, a cat will fill a vase.
If it fits, it sits. If it sits long enough, it flows.