Question

Why water as steam may cause severe burns but water as ice has cooling effect? Explain.

Answer 1

When water as ice melts it absorbs a certain amount of heat from the surface (skin) in contact and thus produces a cooling effect on the surface. Whereas when water as steam touches the skin, it condenses on the skin, and releases the latent heat of vaporization [ the heat which the boiling water absorb to get converted to vapour (steam)].Therefore, it may cause severe burns.

Answer 2

When temperature is decreased to 0oC, water turns into ice. Whereas, when temperature is increased to 100oC, water is converted to steam. Water as steam has more latent heat than water in liquid and solid form. Hence, water as steam can cause severe burns while water as ice has a cooling effect.