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Liquid Nitrogen and the Leidenfrost Effect



The Royal Institution

Why do scientists and demo presenters often choose not to wear protective gloves when handling liquid nitrogen? This is due to a little nifty phenomenon called the Leidenfrost effect.
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The Leidenfrost effect occurs when a liquid comes into contact with a surface that is significantly hotter than the boiling point of that liquid. The vapor released by its rapid boiling, elevates the liquid droplets from the surface and they hover around, as if repelled. The steam acts as a thermal barrier between the surface and the liquid droplet.


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26 thoughts on “Liquid Nitrogen and the Leidenfrost Effect
  1. This is a widely known effect, but this was an incredibly good demonstration.
    Great way to explain things!
    I love this kind of quality content here.

  2. Protip: if you make a video about the Leidenfrost effect, make sure you know how to pronounce "Leidenfrost" first. That's just basic, and it was pretty jarring to listen to.

  3. Pronunciation of "Leidenfrost" is more like "Lidenfrost" because the german "ei" is pronounced like the english "i".
    But still a cool demonstration!

  4. thats a great vid! so in order to protect it requires to form a gas barrier from the evaporation point with the things it is touching, right? thats why it doesnt work in other mediums such as combustion, hot oil or such? is there other examples of leidenfrost effect besides liquid nitrogen or h2o in a hot pan?

    thanks for whom takes the time to reply 🙂

  5. evolution is amazing. Science teachers have poured liquid N on their hands for millions of years to the point our hands have evolved to withstand it. Johann Gottlob Leidenfrost beat the frost after so many who told him it's been tried for eons without success.

  6. So to sum up: For a good steak, verify that the pan exhibits the Leidenfrost effect to ensure that the Maillard process will take place. Love them fancy words.

  7. Could someone please explain why a Wolfram filament burn inside liquid nitrogen and not outside and what does it have to do with the Leidenfrost effect. Thanks

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