Question

Why are burns caused by steam more painful than those caused by boiling water at the same temperature?

Answer 1

1. When steam hits our skin, it condenses to water and then cools down to the temperature of the skin.
2. Now, the energy released will be due to latent heat and a fall in temperature.
3. Whereas when boiling water hits our skin, there is no phase transition but only a fall in temperature and the heat transferred to the skin will be only due to cooling.
4. Also, the loss of energy that is released from steam hitting our skin occurs quickly and in a small localized area, therefore causing damage to our cells.