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It requires energy to change the state of water from liquid (water) to gas (steam), so even thought they are at the same temperature, the same amount (1 gram) of steam holds more energy than 1 gram of liquid water at the same temperature.

If the steam came in contact with a person's skin, it would lose energy, some of it absorbed by the person (causing damage), and it will not reduce temperature until it is condensed, because all of the energy lost was due to the state change.

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Q: Why would a burn by 1 gram of steam do more damage than a burn caused by 1 gram of water at the same temperature?
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Which has higher temperature steam or water boling in kettle?

Steam. The reason for this is water boils at the temperature of 212 degrees F. Steam can be heated to much higher temperatures than that. Some engines that are water cooled has steam at temperatures of over 700 degrees. Water basically becomes a plasma at this temperature.


Why is a burn caused by a steam more severe than a burn caused by a boiling water if they have the same temperature?

Steam carries more energy than boiling water. When water is at its boiling point, it requires additional energy to boost it into a gaseous state. When the steam comes in contact with a cooler object and condense back to a liquid, it releases that energy as heat. If that object is human skin, that heat will cause a burn. - - - - - It would be very rare to have steam with the same temperature as boiling liquid water. The only way to keep water liquid past 100 degrees C is to put it under pressure. By contrast, once you have formed steam you can raise it to just about any temperature you want - there are many industrial processes that require steam at 600 degrees F. Hence, at least part of the reason burns from steam are more severe than burns from boiling water, is the steam is hotter.


Which process in the water cycle is caused by an increase in temperature?

Evaporation is the process in the water cycle caused by an increase in temperature.


Why doesnt the water temperature go up after boiling for alomg time?

At 100 oC, liquid water turns into vapor water (steam). The temperature of the water can't go up, because it cannot stay a liquid at any higher temperature. All of the energy from the heat source is consumed in turning the water into steam, and then heating the steam.


Why more serious burns are caused by steam than water at same temperature?

The heat content of 1 gram of steam of 100oC is much higher than that of 1 gram of 100oC, the extra comes from condensation heat (energy).

Related questions

Why is a steam burn worse then a water burn?

A steam burn is generally more severe than a water burn because steam carries more heat energy than water due to its high temperature. Steam can cause more damage to the skin upon contact and penetrate deeper into the tissue, resulting in a more serious burn.


Why would a burn produced by 1 gram of steam do more damage than a burn caused by 1 gram of water?

Greater latent heat in steam due to phase change.


What can happen if you had a sudden drop on boiler steam pressure without a corresponding drop in boiler water temperature?

BOILER EXPLOSION- Caused by a sudden drop in pressure (failure on the steam side) without acorresponding drop in temperature.


Is it true that water turns to steam when the temperature increases?

Yes. When the temperature rises in a pot full of water, the water begins to evaporate and create a steam. That's why steam is usually warm.


What is the temperature of water in a steam shower unit?

Different individuals usually shower at different water temperatures. A steam shower unit does not have one water temperature. The temperature of the water in a steam shower unit varies, as the temperature may be controlled by a number of factors. Some of the steam shower units come equipped with a temperature gauge, so the individual may set the temperature to a specific degree.


Which has higher temperature steam or water boling in kettle?

Steam. The reason for this is water boils at the temperature of 212 degrees F. Steam can be heated to much higher temperatures than that. Some engines that are water cooled has steam at temperatures of over 700 degrees. Water basically becomes a plasma at this temperature.


How superheating of steam improves the efficiency of thermal power plant?

The amount of energy transferred from the steam is a function of the temperature difference between the input and output of the turbine. Also, superheating the steam ensures that there are no water molecules that can damage the turbine blades.


In order for a high temperature boiler or steam engine to produce superheated steam?

In order for a high temperature boiler or steam engine to produce superheated water, or steam?


A aquastat device controls temperature of steam water temperature pressure of steam or none of the above?

An operating system aquastat senses and controls the temperature of the water in a heating system.


What is the difference between dry steam and wet steam to clean?

DRY steam is superheated There is a temperature below which steam will start to condense into water droplets. This is called the saturation temperature, and it varies with the pressure of the steam. Steam that is exactly at its saturation temperature is called saturated steam. Steam that is below its saturation temperature contains droplets of moisture and is called wet steam. Steam that is above its saturation temperature is called superheated steam.


Why are steam burns on the skin so severe?

It is not really more. Steam is the gas form of water, and thus hotter than the liquid form. 1000C (at 1au at sea level) is the boiling point of water. 400C water will not burn you, but 990C will. Steam at 1010C will burn you, but steam at 5000C would burn worse. So your answer is steam is hotter, but how much more of a burn you get also has to do with the amount of steam or water you come in contact with, and the temperature the steam or water is.


Why is a burn caused by a steam more severe than a burn caused by a boiling water if they have the same temperature?

Steam carries more energy than boiling water. When water is at its boiling point, it requires additional energy to boost it into a gaseous state. When the steam comes in contact with a cooler object and condense back to a liquid, it releases that energy as heat. If that object is human skin, that heat will cause a burn. - - - - - It would be very rare to have steam with the same temperature as boiling liquid water. The only way to keep water liquid past 100 degrees C is to put it under pressure. By contrast, once you have formed steam you can raise it to just about any temperature you want - there are many industrial processes that require steam at 600 degrees F. Hence, at least part of the reason burns from steam are more severe than burns from boiling water, is the steam is hotter.