Question

Why does steam cause more severe burns than water at 100 C ?

Answer 1

Steam will produce more severe burns than boiling water because steam has more heat energy than water due to its latent heat of vaporisation. Steam and boiling water can exist at varying temperatures but it is only correct to assume here that both are at the same temperature.

Answer 2

in comparison to water, steam contains more heat in the form of latent heat of vaporization. Steam has more energy than boiling water. It possesses the additional latent heat of vaporization. So, when steam falls on skin and condenses to produce water it gives out 22.5 x 105 J/kg more heat than boiling water at the same temperature. Therefore, burns produced by steam are more severe than those produced by boiling water.

Hope it helps :)