How much more volume does steam occupy compared to water?

Steam occupies a significantly larger volume than the water from which it is generated due to the phase change from liquid to gas. When water is heated and transforms into steam, it expands dramatically because the molecules gain kinetic energy and move further apart.

The accepted value is that steam can occupy approximately 1,600 to 1,700 times the volume of the same quantity of water at boiling point and atmospheric pressure. This value can vary slightly based on temperature and pressure conditions, but it is widely recognized that steam expands to about 1,600 to 1,700 times its original volume. Therefore, this approximation aligns with physics principles regarding gas behavior compared to liquids.

Understanding the drastic volume change is crucial in various practical applications, such as engine design and the operation of heating systems, where the expansive power of steam can be harnessed effectively. This fundamental property is key to many thermodynamic processes.