How much does superheated water expand compared to its liquid form?

Superheated water can expand about 1700 times compared to its liquid form due to the dramatic changes in density and volume that occur when water transitions from a liquid to a gas phase. When water is heated beyond its boiling point at a given pressure, it becomes superheated steam, and in this state, water molecules move much farther apart from each other compared to their arrangement in the liquid state. This significant increase in volume is a characteristic property of liquids transitioning to gases; in the case of water, it leads to a very large expansion ratio.

Understanding this property is crucial in plumbing applications, especially when dealing with heating systems. If water is heated in a confined space (such as in a closed boiler), the pressure increases significantly, and if superheated steam is introduced into the system, it can lead to pressure surges that may damage plumbing fixtures or systems. The knowledge of this characteristic expansion helps plumbers design systems that can handle the pressure generated by steam and avoid potential hazards.