Question

Steam produces more severe burns than boiling water. Think why?

Answer 1

Hint: Here, the word severe refers to intensity of burning. Therefore, we have to make the comparison between the burning intensity of boiling water and steam.

Complete step by step answer:
• In the questions words like steam and water are not different in composition but they differ in state in which they are existing.
• The state of steam is gas and that of water is liquid.
• Steam will produce more burn than boiling water since steam has more warmth vitality than water because of its dormant warmth of vaporization.
• Even at the same temperature the bubbling (boiling) water produces less severe burns than steam.
• This is because steam contains the heat energy of boiling water (as steam is formed from boiling water) along with latent heat of vaporisation.
• Latent heat of vaporisation is the amount of heat energy required to change the phase from liquid to vapour.

Additional information:
A Skin burn caused due to water vapours is often particularly malicious. It is hard to sustain hot vapours near body skin. Firemen are likewise in danger - because of their own perspiration: If it dissipates under the overwhelming defensive attire in the warmth of the fire and can't get away, it gathers on the cooler skin and consumes it.

Note: Be careful while dealing with steam. It is advisable for many people who have high body temperature should not come in contact with hot vapours. Remember that water and steam are the same but differ in phase.