When you were in elementary school, you learned the five states of matter in science class. Liquids, in particular, are defined as substances with an indefinite shape, changing to fit the form of the container. Being able shape-shift is, in essence, the definition of a “liquid”.
Does that mean cats are liquid?
Marc Antoine Fardin teaches rheology (i.e. the study of the deformations and flows of matter) at Paris Diderot University. Last year, Fardin won the Ig Nobel Prize for his paper discussing the rheology of cats. In an article, he explains:
“If we take cats as our example, the fact is that they can adapt their shape to their container if we give them enough time. Cats are thus liquid if we give them enough time to be liquid.”
But cats can also be solid. “A cat in a small box will behave like a fluid filling up all the space,” Science Magazine explains. “But a cat in a bathtub full of water will try to minimize its contact with it and behave very much like a solid.”
Now, the Ig Noble Prize is kind of a gag honor awarded by Improbable Research. Entries are supposed to teach people a bit about science while also making them laugh, and a ceremony is held every year at Harvard University.
So, here are a few cats in their (scientist-approved) liquid state!
I sits, I fits.
Big Bowl Of Cat
Meow?
Here fishie, fishie, fishie…
“Honey, did you fill the sink?”
Cat Basket
I iz fluid.
Raining Cats
Kitty Whirpool
Isn’t this proof enough?
Bowl of Cat II
I’m seeing a trend here…
This is the exact moment a cat becomes liquid.
Two Cups of Cats
Once You Pop, The Fun Don’t Stop
“Betty, can I borrow a cup of flou—”
Liquid Kitty
See? Completely full.
This fits juuuuuust right.
Liquid State Achieved
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