Leidenfrost Effect Lets Water Dance on Hot Metal
When a drop of water lands on a surface much hotter than its boiling point, a layer of insulating vapor forms beneath it and prevents rapid boiling. The droplet then skitters across the metal on this vapor cushion for many seconds.
💡 Fun detail:
Chefs sometimes use this effect to test whether a pan is hot enough: a dancing water bead signals the right temperature for searing.
Source: National Geographic