How does saturated water differ from saturated steam?

Saturated water is defined as water that is at its boiling point and exists in the liquid state, while saturated steam refers to steam that is also at the boiling point but exists in the gaseous phase. This distinction is crucial in thermodynamics and power engineering, as it relates directly to phase changes and the energy transfer involved in heating and cooling processes.

At the same temperature, saturated water and saturated steam are in dynamic equilibrium, meaning any additional heat supplied to the saturated water will convert it into saturated steam without a change in temperature. In contrast, while saturated water is still a liquid at this point, the saturated steam represents the point at which the liquid has completely transitioned into vapor.

Understanding this difference is vital in applications such as boilers, where the precise control of temperature and phase is necessary for efficient operation and safety.