The expansion ratio of water to steam is at least what value?

The expansion ratio of water to steam is an important concept, particularly in fields such as thermodynamics and engineering. When water is converted into steam, it undergoes a significant change in volume. The correct ratio reflects the volume of steam produced compared to the original volume of water.

In this case, the value of 1700:1 indicates that for every one unit of volume occupied by water, the steam produced occupies approximately 1700 units of volume. This large expansion is due to the phase change from liquid to gas, where molecules in steam are much farther apart compared to those in liquid water.

Such information is crucial for understanding steam generation in various applications, including power generation and heating systems. A smaller ratio would underestimate this transformation, leading to improper calculations in practical scenarios. The ratios provided in the other choices do not represent the scientifically accepted standard for the volume expansion that occurs when water is converted to steam at atmospheric pressure. Thus, the 1700:1 ratio is recognized as a reliable and accurate representation for this expansion phenomenon.