Question

why are burns caused by steam more severe than those caused by boiling water at the same temperature?

Answer 1

Boiling water contains only a specific amount of heat energy required for it to boil. However, as steam is formed from boiling water, it contains the heat energy of boiling water, along with the latent heat of vaporization. Hence, as steam has more heat energy, it can cause more severe burns than boiling water.

Answer 2

water absorb energy in the form of latent heat of vaporization to convert into steam and steam has more energy than water there for steam causes more severe burns those caused by boiling water