Which of the following is more likely to scald you?
(i) Water at 100 degrees celsius
(ii) Steam at 100 degrees celsius
Explain your answer.
2006-09-03 22:15:18 · 24 answers · asked by noob 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
They are both 100% guaranteed to scald you. The burn that results from the scald caused by steam will be more severe due to what is called the "latent heat of vaporization". LHV is that little extra thermal energy needed to cause water to change phases from liquid to steam. As soon as the steam makes contact with your skin, that LHV is absorbed by your skin. Ouch!
Simply put, Steam has more thermal energy and will therefore cause more damage to your skin. But 100C water is just as likely to burn you; it's just the burn won't be quite as bad. .
2006-09-04 02:12:47 · answer #1 · answered by charlesellis753 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Steam. This is an age old classic, anyway, here goes:
Water is an incredibly effective storer of energy its thermal capacity is absolutely huge (Between 2-4 J/g/K), so there is a massive amount of heat energy stored in the steam. When the steam starts to condense on your skin the huge amount of heat energy is released as non-covalent interactions (hydrogen bonds, etc) start to form, and bond making is exothermic. so not only is it at 100 C anyway, but also there is continual burning for a long period, ending up with far more serious burns than boiling water ever would.
So if you're ever being tortured and are asked which you'd prefer- go with the water.
2006-09-03 22:24:33 · answer #2 · answered by Henry.... 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think that the boiling point of water is 100 degrees celsius, therefore it would become steam at this temperature.
Either way its gonna hurt so don't put your hands/fingers/body parts near it to find out.
2006-09-03 22:21:41 · answer #3 · answered by Shelley T 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Steam! Bcuz it has more energy than water. ofcourse if we have the same mass from both.
means that 1kg Steam at 100 degrees celsius hurt U more than 1kg Water at 100 degrees celsius.
we give energy to water, and it changes to steam, so steam has the greater amount of energy!
2006-09-03 22:23:07 · answer #4 · answered by M M 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
water at 100 degree celsius means steam and once water evaporates and becomes steam the effect will be the same in my point of view.
2006-09-03 22:26:38 · answer #5 · answered by JOHN A 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
steam at 100 degrees celsius because water will absorb alot of heat to become steam.
2006-09-04 00:04:18 · answer #6 · answered by Mohsen 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
STEAM water at boiling temperature diffused in the atmosphere,
WATER binary compound that occurs at room temperature as a clear colorless odorless tasteless liquid :and boils above 100 degrees centigrade
therefore by definition the water would be cooler,
over the years as kids we have dared to try foolish pranks i have passed my hand over a boiling pan and in burns more than when i dip my hand into the boiling wter
2006-09-04 01:13:42 · answer #7 · answered by willcum 4 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think the short answer is that there is an amount of energy needed for phase change to occur from liquid to gas. This extra energy is enough to hurt you more. So the steam, would hurt more.
2006-09-03 22:34:23 · answer #8 · answered by kenhayesjr420 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
they are the same thing, water turns to steam at 100 deggres celsius
2006-09-03 22:26:48 · answer #9 · answered by Unbekümmert 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Steam is the result of boiling water so I'd say they hurt the same.
2006-09-03 22:17:50 · answer #10 · answered by Vette 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋