How many times does a water droplet expand to steam?

When water is heated to its boiling point and then turns into steam, it expands significantly in volume. The correct answer indicates that a water droplet expands approximately 1700 times when it transforms into steam. This significant expansion is due to the transition from a liquid state, which is more densely packed with molecules, to a gaseous state, where the molecules are much further apart.

Understanding this expansion is critical in firefighting as it explains why steam can be so effective in firefighting operations. The rapid expansion of steam can displace oxygen and help suppress flames. Additionally, knowing the volume increase helps firefighters in planning and evaluating the dynamics of steam as it rises and disperses heat, which ultimately influences their approaches to controlling or extinguishing fires.