Why Hot Water in Smaller Quantities is Less Painful

[threy]

When tiny droplets of hot water touch your hand you don't feel much pain but when large amount of hot water spills on your hand it will cause serious injuries. Why?

- is this due to the heat energy in the tiny droplets of water is lesser so the energy transferred to the hand is lesser therefore the hand does not feel much pain?

 

[sophiecentaur]

Yes. If the droplets are small enough, the temperature under your skin - where the nerves are - does not get as high as that of the water drops on initial contact. (Google Method of Mixtures; something we were all taught at school, way back in the past)