Boffins at a top research university have exploded as a myth the received wisdom that a watched pot never boils.
Scientists at the University of Thames Valley East have published their findings in the latest edition of Serious Physics Monthly. They are sure to cause raised eyebrows throughout the scientific community.
Dr Wilhelmina Mention, head of the group, told us: "This is an extremely exciting development and could change our attitudes to wise old saws forever.
"I came up with the idea while cooking some spaghetti last year. I was considering an equation while waiting for the water to boil and before I knew it I noticed the water was boiling.
"But had I watched it? We needed laboratory control conditions, so for the last six months my team and I have been watching pots of water placed on heat and, yes, we can confirm that even if a pot is watched, it will boil."
