ZME Science
No Result
View All Result
ZME Science
No Result
View All Result
ZME Science

Home → Science → Physics

The Leidenfrost effect and a cool water maze

Tibi PuiubyTibi Puiu
October 3, 2013
in Physics, Shorties, Videos
A A
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterSubmit to Reddit

RelatedPosts

Signs of water found in the atmosphere of 5 alien planets
Meet the Pipe: a beautiful desalinization plant that might one day serve 1.5 billion gallons of water to California
The story about the “breatharian” couple not eating any food, living from the “universe energy” is bogus — and people bought it
India’s aquifers show “widespread” uranium contamination
water-droplet
(c) YouTube screenshot

Last week we showed you some great fluid dynamics at work – water bridges between two beakers connected to high voltage current. Water and fluids in particular sometimes behave in amazing ways under certain conditions. Today, I’d like to show another dazzling display: the Leidenfrost effect. This is a phenomenon that occurs when liquid, say water, is in near contact with a mass significantly hotter than the liquid’s boiling point, producing an insulating vapor layer which keeps that liquid from boiling rapidly and keeps the surfaces separate. You’ve likely seen in it action countless times but never knew what’s it called. For instance, when you heat a frying pan at or above the Leidenfrost point (typically two times the boiling point of water) and then sprinkle some droplets of water to check the temperatures  the water skitters across the metal and takes longer to evaporate than it would in a skillet that is above boiling temperature, but below the temperature of the Leidenfrost point.

When this effect is coupled with jagged surfaces, you can control the direction in which the water droplets jitter. To demonstrate this, University of Bath undergraduate students Carmen Cheng and Matthew Guy built a cool maze which basically guides the water through the various cavities. Check it out in the video below.

It’s important to note that the Leidenfrost effect doesn’t necessarily work at extra boiling point temperatures. The phenomenon works at extremely low temperatures too, as long as there’s a great temperatures difference between the fluid and the other surface. For instance, in the video demonstration below a daredevil sprinkles his hand with water and then dips it in liquid nitrogen for a few seconds. In normal conditions, the hand would have been frozen stiff, but the intense temperature difference between the water at room temperature and liquid nitrogen (-346°F and -320.44°F or 63 K and 77.2 K) creates a thin film barrier protecting the hand. Don’t try this at home!

Tags: fluid dynamicsLeidenfrost effectwater

ShareTweetShare
Tibi Puiu

Tibi Puiu

Tibi is a science journalist and co-founder of ZME Science. He writes mainly about emerging tech, physics, climate, and space. In his spare time, Tibi likes to make weird music on his computer and groom felines. He has a B.Sc in mechanical engineering and an M.Sc in renewable energy systems.

Related Posts

News

Scientists Ranked the Most Hydrating Drinks and Water Didn’t Win

byTibi Puiu
18 hours ago
Environment

New Global River Map Is the First to Include River Bifurcations and Canals

byRebecca Owen
2 months ago
Animals

Flamingos Create Underwater Tornadoes to Suck Up Their Prey

byTudor Tarita
2 months ago
Environment

Mexico Will Give U.S. More Water to Avert More Tariffs

byKimberly M. S. Cartier
2 months ago

Recent news

Your gut has a secret weapon against ‘forever chemicals’: microbes

July 3, 2025

High IQ People Are Strikingly Better at Forecasting the Future

July 3, 2025

Newborns Feel Pain Long Before They Can Understand It

July 3, 2025
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Editorial Policy
  • Privacy Policy and Terms of Use
  • How we review products
  • Contact

© 2007-2025 ZME Science - Not exactly rocket science. All Rights Reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • Science News
  • Environment
  • Health
  • Space
  • Future
  • Features
    • Natural Sciences
    • Physics
      • Matter and Energy
      • Quantum Mechanics
      • Thermodynamics
    • Chemistry
      • Periodic Table
      • Applied Chemistry
      • Materials
      • Physical Chemistry
    • Biology
      • Anatomy
      • Biochemistry
      • Ecology
      • Genetics
      • Microbiology
      • Plants and Fungi
    • Geology and Paleontology
      • Planet Earth
      • Earth Dynamics
      • Rocks and Minerals
      • Volcanoes
      • Dinosaurs
      • Fossils
    • Animals
      • Mammals
      • Birds
      • Fish
      • Amphibians
      • Reptiles
      • Invertebrates
      • Pets
      • Conservation
      • Animal facts
    • Climate and Weather
      • Climate change
      • Weather and atmosphere
    • Health
      • Drugs
      • Diseases and Conditions
      • Human Body
      • Mind and Brain
      • Food and Nutrition
      • Wellness
    • History and Humanities
      • Anthropology
      • Archaeology
      • History
      • Economics
      • People
      • Sociology
    • Space & Astronomy
      • The Solar System
      • Sun
      • The Moon
      • Planets
      • Asteroids, meteors & comets
      • Astronomy
      • Astrophysics
      • Cosmology
      • Exoplanets & Alien Life
      • Spaceflight and Exploration
    • Technology
      • Computer Science & IT
      • Engineering
      • Inventions
      • Sustainability
      • Renewable Energy
      • Green Living
    • Culture
    • Resources
  • Videos
  • Reviews
  • About Us
    • About
    • The Team
    • Advertise
    • Contribute
    • Editorial policy
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact

© 2007-2025 ZME Science - Not exactly rocket science. All Rights Reserved.