Liquid Nitrogen

So today I was in Evan’s lab working out my independent study for this quarter. He had a bunch of dry ice out because he was loading one of his pressure cells with it. So we were playing with it, and then I mentioned that my thermal physics professor had demonstrated the Leidenfrost effect by pouring liquid nitrogen on his hand.

So, Evan says “Oh yeah!” and reaches under the table and brings up a bottle of liquid nitrogen. He pours some on his hand and says “Here, try it.” I was hesisant, but after he called me a wimp I decided I’d better give it a try. It was interesting, I expected it to be a lot colder. It really didn’t feel cold at all.

So I am now a member of the “poured liquid nitrogen on my hand” club. Yee-haw.