Most of us have never wanted to dip our hand in liquid nitrogen or molten lead because the majority of us are simply not idiots and would rather spend our time analyzing episodes of lost and eating to excess. However for the few who dare spit in nature’s face the Leidenfost effect seems like a siren of the sea to start acting like you are a science daredevil when in fact you have several health issues and may never get a date outside of Second Life.
I knew I left my keys somewhere...
The Leidenfrost effect is simple. Named after Johann Gottlob Leidenfrost in 1756, states that when a water droplet is when placed on a very hot surface it will begin to turn to a gas which acts as a cushion protecting the rest of the droplet from immiedietly vaporizing. This also will protect an object coated in water. A wet hand for example when dipped into molten lead will instantly vaporize the water providing a cushion to protect your stupid action from proving harmful.
picture above via: [popsci]
