Question

what does steam produce more severe burn as compared to boiling water

Answer 1

When water changes to steam it absorbs latent heat of vaporisation. Thus, steam contains more heat than boiling water. So, steam causes more severe heat than boiling water.

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.