Question

steam produces more sever burns than boiling water. think why?

Answer 1

It is because steam contains 354 KCal heat than Water both being at 100 degree C.That 354 KCal is called the latent heat of vaporization and it is the heat required to change water to steam.

Answer 2

Answer:

• When water changes into steam at its boiling point, it absorbs latent heat of vaporisation (which is 22.5 x 109 joules per kilogram).
• This means that steam at 100°C contains much more heat (in the form of latent heat) than boiling water at the same temperature of 100°C.
• So, when steam falls on our skin and condenses to form water, it gives out 22.5 x 105 joules per kilogram of more heat than boiling water at the same temperature.

• Since steam gives out much more heat than boiling water, it causes more severe burns.