Question

Why would burns caused by steam at 100◦C be more severe than burns caused by (liquid) water at 100◦C, if the temperature is initially the same in each case? (Hint: Consider the “useful information” given below.)

Answer 1

Why would burns caused by steam at 100◦C be more severe than burns caused by (liquid) water at 100◦C,

if the temperature is initially the same in each case, because

the steam will have more heat than water at 100 0C

and the amount of heat enegy supplied to water to reach 100 0C is less than
the amount of heat required to convert the water in to steam at 100 0C, means

first water will reach 100 0C and phase change from liq to vapour additional heat energy wil be required (heat if vapourization)

for a certain mass of water the heat required to rise the temp difference is 100 0c is

   Q = m*C*DT

and to convert the water at 100 0c to steam at 100 0C we require more heat energy that is

   Q = m*c*DT+m*L_v

so so burns caused by steam at 100◦C be more severe than burns caused by (liquid) water at 100◦C,

if the temperature is initially the same in each case