Final answer:
Fire burns cause damage through high heat, leading to processes like protein denaturation, while dry ice burns result from extreme cold causing freezing of cells and tissue damage. Fire involves combustion with oxygen and produces gases and ash, whereas dry ice sublimates from solid to gas without a liquid phase. Both types of burns need medical attention, but treatments vary.
Step-by-step explanation:
Getting burned by fire and by dry ice are similar in that they both cause damage to skin and tissues due to extreme temperatures, but the nature of the injuries and the physical processes behind them are different. A burn from fire is a result of exposure to high heat, typically causing damage through processes such as protein denaturation and tissue dehydration. In contrast, a burn from dry ice, or frostbite, occurs because dry ice is extremely cold (-78.5°C or -109.3°F), and can cause similar damage due to freezing of cells and blood vessels leading to tissue damage and necrosis.
Another major difference between the two is how they transition between states. Fire burns combustible materials, creating a reaction with oxygen that results in the production of heat, light, ash, carbon dioxide, and water vapor. On the other hand, dry ice sublimates, meaning it shifts directly from a solid to a gas without becoming a liquid in between. When placed in a liquid, dry ice cools the liquid and produces a dense mist of water, as seen in various demonstrations and experiments.
Both burns require immediate medical attention, though the treatments will differ. A burn from fire often needs cooling under running water, removal of burnt clothing, and professional medical care, whereas a dry ice burn might require rewarming, but not using a direct heat source which can cause further damage.