Liquid Nitrogen and the Leidenfrost Effect

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.
Subscribe for regular science videos: http://bit.ly/RiSubscRibe

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.

---
A very special thank you to our Patreon supporters who help make these videos happen, especially:
Alessandro Mecca, Ashok Bommisetti, Avrahaim Chein, bestape, Elizabeth Greasley, Greg Nagel, Lester Su, Manish Upmanyu, Rebecca Pan, Robert D Finrock and Will Knott.
---

The Ri is on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/TheRoyalInstitution
and Twitter: http://twitter.com/ri_science
and Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/royalinstitution
and Tumblr: http://ri-science.tumblr.com/
Our editorial policy: http://www.rigb.org/home/editorial-policy
Subscribe for the latest science videos: http://bit.ly/RiNewsletter

Видео Liquid Nitrogen and the Leidenfrost Effect канала The Royal Institution