Steam burning more than water question

[Ilan Shavolian 1K]

I need some help on clarification on why steam burns more than boiling water. So even though the temperature is the same, the steam burns more and this is because it has more energy? What does energy have to do with the amount of pain you feel? Doesn't only depend on the temperature of the substance touching your skin.

[Jason Liu 1C]

I think the amount of energy is what damages the skin. And since steam has so much more energy than water at 100 degrees Celsius, that damages the skin a lot more.

[Kathleen Vidanes 1E]

Steam burns more than liquid water, because more heat is supplied in order to turn the water into a vapor.

[KayleeMcCord1F]

I think steam burns more than liquid water because when steam hits the skin it undergoes a phase change (to liquid) which releases a ton of energy into the skin.

[melissa carey 1f]

This can be seen in the phase change diagram, as the long section during which heat is added to change liquid to gas represents a significant amount of energy. This energy, when transferred to a hand, causes a more severe burn.