Sciencemadness Discussion Board

Skin burn by boiling water vs water vapour

Wrecking Bereserker - 23-8-2019 at 01:06

I do know that water vapour at 100C has more energy than 100C water in liquid phase
But what is the comparison between them as far as cell damage goes?
People usually steam their faces right? rather than putting their face in boiling water!

Deathunter88 - 23-8-2019 at 02:02

The "steam" you see from say a kettle is actually a mist of re-condensed water vapor since real gaseous H2O is completely transparent. Therefore, it is much cooler than 100C.

Also, gases have a much lower thermal conductivity than liquid and so that plays a role as well.

[Edited on 23-8-2019 by Deathunter88]

unionised - 23-8-2019 at 09:46

Quote: Originally posted by Deathunter88  


Also, gases have a much lower thermal conductivity than liquid and so that plays a role as well.

[Edited on 23-8-2019 by Deathunter88]

Yes, but a stream of vapour which condenses on a colder surface can move a lot of heat.
That's why it's used in heat pipes.

What people "steam" their faces with is mainly air, and well below 100C