4 ms·
I recall meeting him at a Royal Society Christmas lecture when I was a teen. I was sat in the front row - and he asked for a volunteer. Needless to say, muggins
by madaxe_again 9y ago
I recall meeting him at a Royal Society Christmas lecture when I was a teen. I was sat in the front row - and he asked for a volunteer. Needless to say, muggins volunteered - to stick his naked hand in a flask of liquid nitrogen, it transpired.
And this is how I first experienced the Leidenfrost effect, and understood just how effectively boiling liquids can self-insulate.
He was an astoundingly good teacher, and an inspiration, to me, at least.
- hjjiehebebe 9y agoThat could have gone quite wrong no?
- keithpeter 9y agoJust don't leave your hand in there for too long. And try to avoid any liquid nitrogen droplets getting caught between your shirt cuff and your wrist (cold burns hurt) OA: I shall miss Dr Wolf.
- madaxe_again 9y agoHe was very clear about dipping my hand in slowly, and not moving it at all, as that would’ve shaken off the boundary and resulted in frostnip - but this was the 90’s, when getting kids to put their hand in cryo was just one of those things you do.