By what factor does one pound of water expand when flashed into steam?

When water is flashed into steam, it undergoes a significant change in volume due to the difference in the density of water and steam. The key factor to understand here is that water in its liquid form has a much higher density compared to steam, which exists as a gas and occupies a much larger volume.

The answer indicates that one pound of water expands to approximately 1600 times its original volume when converted into steam at atmospheric pressure. This considerable expansion occurs because, upon heating, the water molecules gain energy and transition to a gaseous state. This process allows the molecules to spread apart much more than they do in the liquid state, resulting in the vast increase in volume.

This fact highlights the dramatic effect of phase changes on the properties of substances. In practical applications, such as in heating systems or power generation, this expansion is utilized to create pressure and perform work, such as driving turbines or heating spaces.

Understanding this principle is crucial for steamfitters, as it impacts system design, efficiency, and safety considerations in steam applications.