In Conceptual Example 17-15 we pointed out that steam can cause more serious burns than water at the same temperature. Here we examine this effect quantitatively, noting that flesh becomes badly damaged when its temperature reaches 50.0 °C.
(a) Calculate the heat released as 12.5 g of liquid water at 100 °C is cooled to 50.0 °C.
(b) Calculate the heat released when 12.5 g of steam at 100 °C is condensed and cooled to 50.0 °C.
(c) Find the mass of flesh that can be heated from 37.0 °C (normal body temperature) to 50.0 °C for the cases considered in parts (a) and (b). (The average specific heat of flesh is 3500 J/kg ( K.)