what causes more severe burns-boiling water at 100degree c or steam at 100degreec?

Question

i think it is due to lateral heat of vapourisation

Answer 1

Yeah, you're right. Steam causes more sever burns.

In order for 1 gram of steam to condense to water on your face, it transfers 540 calories of heat(latent heat of vaporization) to the skin. Then for that gram to cool, it transfers 1 calorie per degree C drop.

I order for 1 gram of water to cool down, it only transfers the 1 calorie per degree C drop.

Answer 2

The density of gas and liquids dictate that the water will be better able to transfer heat to your body so you would take more damage per unit time. However if the mass of the water and steam were the same, and you had to leave you body part in the material until it stabilized at body temperature, the steam holds more total heat and would cause more total heat transfer over a very long time. It depends on the body part and its ability to soak and disperse the heat.

Typical burns occur quickly so, sticking you hand in a steam spout for a third of a second and sticking your hand in boiling water for a third of a second are typical burns, the water would cause more damage.

Answer 3

Treat this as science. Take the other answers as sources of ideas, but take none of them as the answer. Look for some real evidence. Consider things like superheated steam, at temperatures much higher than 100C. Compare a pot of boiling water with a steam jet at 20 feet per second, and which can transfer more heat to your hand. Consult some medical sources. Give greater weight to people with knowledge, experience, and evidence over people thinking only theory, but not necessarily all theory or in the appropriate balance.

Answer 4

Steam at 100 degrees C causes a much worse burn because to get to steam from boiling water it had to absorb 540 calories per gram, the Latent Heat of Vaporization.

Answer 5

Steam contains more energy heat wise but having worked
with steam cleaners, the steam is cooling as it leaves the noozle and pressure drops off, at 2-3 feet away it doesn't burn
hot water on the other hand will scald your but at 20 ft.
could be related to density, 1 gram of steam / 100 grams of water

Answer 6

burns caused by steam are more severe than boiling water due to higher temperature of the steam, as a result of the latent heat of vaporization of water the energy relased in the process in the form of heat energy makes the burn more severe. Infact remember that steam is nothing more than water in gaseous state and the kinetic energy of gases are more than that of liquids which makes the steam to release more energy to the skin on contact

Answer 7

I really don't know for sure but this is an interesting Q. I would have to vote water because at the same temp, water would hold more energy than steam, thus more heat would transfer to your skin.

Answer 8

steam causes severe burns .you are right its due to the latent heat of vapourisation. when steam comes in contact of our body it loses heat equal to the latent heat of vapourisation which causes severe burns .

Answer 9

Definately Steam.

It is due to the latent heat of vaporisation, as the steam has more energy due to it having changed state from water to steam.

Answer 10

I think it is steam at 100Cbecause it provides more heat which is laten heat more than the same amount of water at 100C.