What happens to water when it expands as steam?

When water converts to steam, it undergoes a significant increase in volume due to the phase change from liquid to gas. The correct answer indicates that water expands approximately 1700 to 1 during this transformation. This dramatic increase in volume occurs because steam occupies a much larger space compared to liquid water. In practical terms, this means that a relatively small amount of water can create a large volume of steam, which is crucial for various applications, such as firefighting and energy production. Understanding this expansion ratio is vital for firefighters when calculating water supply needs, managing pressure in hoses, and anticipating the behavior of steam in a fire scenario.

The incorrect options present lower expansion ratios, which do not reflect the true nature of water vaporization. Knowing that the actual expansion ratio is around 1700 to 1 helps underscore the importance of steam in fire dynamics and the potential hazards it can introduce in firefighting situations.