Question

Why does steam cause more severe burns than boiling water ?

Answer 1

Steam can be more dangerous than boiling water because steam contains more heat in the form of latent heat, as compared to boiling water at the same temperature. When steam falls on skin and condenses to form water, it gives out 22.5 × 10⁵ J/kg more heat than boiling water at the same temperature as in boiling water, heat being taken up is being used to form steam.