Experimentbeginnerdraft
The dancing water droplet
Also searched as: Leidenfrost experiment, water droplet in a pan
In short: On a very hot pan, a drop of water floats and dances instead of evaporating.
Picture it
Like a hovercraft: the drop floats on its own steam.
Before · Afterpan warm
You need · 5 minutes
- stainless steel or iron pan
- a few drops of water
Hot pan: only with adults; do not overheat a non-stick pan while empty.
How it’s done
Sequence · Step 1 of 2
Heat the empty pan over medium heat and now and then flick in a few drops of water.
All steps as a list
- Heat the empty pan over medium heat and now and then flick in a few drops of water.
- Watch how the drops behave as the pan gets hotter.
What you see
At first the drops hiss and evaporate quickly. Above a certain heat they form little balls that glide around and last longer.
Why it happens
A layer of steam forms under the drop and it floats on it (the ). That is exactly when the pan is hot enough for searing.
Related entries
Sources · 1
- Harold McGee: On Food and Cooking (2004)