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Microwaves are a fine way to warm water. So are stoves. But neither of them quite compare to dropping in a sphere of red-hot nickel to do the trick. Thanks to a little something called the Leidenfrost effect, the ball actually surrounds itself with a blanket of steam that keeps the rest of the water away.
Until the ball cools off just enough that it can’t keep it up and then boom, crazy sounds and a puff of steam. It’s the same thing that lets you dip your hand in molten lead, but backwards. And this little clip lets you really see how it works. Now somebody get me a blowtorch and some ball bearings because I need my coffee. [Reddit]
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microwaves are not a fine way to heat water at all, have you ever heated a cup of water in the mic then added instant coffee, it goes white and looks like youve put creamer in it or something, that cant be right
Microwaves are designed specifically to heat water – the wavelengths of light used in a microwave are the exact wavelengths absorbed by the bonds in water molecules, causing them to vibrate and heat up through friction. That’s why microwaving something completely dry (like a sponge, for example) will not heat it up at all.
Not sure i would like all that nickel in my water.. however this is a great technique, if you are ever in a survival situation heating a rock on the fire if you dont have a flame proof water holder (i.E plastic bottle)can be a good way to boil water to make it safer to drink.. cool hu!