2006-12-21 05:27:28 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Other - Science
Because each gram of steam has an additional number of calories (540 small calories) called the latent heat of vaporization. That means that not only does the skin get a number of calories of heat equal to the difference between body temperature (about 40degC) and 100degC, but steam delivers 540 calories more.
You can see the effect of the latent heat of vaporization by boiling water on a stove. What you do NOT see is the water reaching its boiling point and then vanishing into steam with a poof! What you do see is the water start to boil gently as the stove keeps putting those 540 calories into each gram.
2006-12-21 05:39:10 · answer #1 · answered by steve_geo1 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The temp. of water boiling in a pot is 212 deg. as we all know, but the steam rising from the pot never gets higher than 212 deg. The instant it leaves the surface of the water it begins to cool. To raise the temp. of steam, it needs to be, what is called, super-heated. The steam in a pressure cooker could be above 212 while it's in there, and if released would stay above 212 for a very short time. But to answer your question, um, I don't know.
2006-12-21 08:59:29 · answer #2 · answered by sjstalost 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Water that is the same temperature as steam would just also be steam. Are we unclear on what steam is, exactly?
Though to indulge the question, it would be a matter of density and surface area. Steam particles can transfer their heat much more quickly and then move on to make room for more steam particles.
But the real answer, I think, is "The steam is actually just hotter than the water. That's why it hurts more."
2006-12-21 08:38:28 · answer #3 · answered by The Ry-Guy 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Although the steam and water are the same temperature, the water absorbs "heat of vaoprization" in going from liquid to vapor. When that hits your skin the HOV is released to turn it back to water.
This is not temperature. It is calories.
2006-12-22 16:54:41 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The reason is explained by these tables that show the difference between hot water and steam temperatures/pressures!
http://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/saturated-steam-properties-d_457.html
2006-12-21 16:27:53 · answer #5 · answered by Nikolas S 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Steam can be much hotter than water. Water under normal pressure never gets warmer than 100 degres celsius.
2006-12-21 06:19:23 · answer #6 · answered by Gene 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Steam can get hotter than water. Water can only be 212 degrees, where steam can get WAY hotter.
2006-12-21 08:55:45 · answer #7 · answered by ANSWER MY QUESTION!! 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because the steam is actually "hotter" than the water -- check out this link (and others right here on Y!A) for some of the answers:
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20060828030634AAHhPD4
2006-12-21 05:32:59 · answer #8 · answered by Yahzmin ♥♥ 4ever 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋