Water will begin to change into steam at 100 degrees Celsius (212 degrees Fahrenheit) under standard atmospheric pressure (1 atmosphere or 101.3 kilopascals). This temperature is known as the boiling point of water.
Here's a brief explanation of the process:
Heating Water: When heat energy is applied to water, the kinetic energy of water molecules increases, causing them to move faster.
Reaching Boiling Point: At 100°C (212°F) under normal atmospheric conditions, water molecules have enough energy to overcome the forces holding them together in the liquid state.
Boiling and Evaporation: As water boils, some of its molecules gain enough energy to change from the liquid phase to the gaseous phase, forming water vapor or steam. This process is called evaporation.
Producing Steam: When water is heated above its boiling point and continues to absorb heat, it turns into steam.
It's important to note that the boiling point can vary depending on factors such as altitude or atmospheric pressure. At lower pressures (such as at higher altitudes), water boils at a lower temperature because the external pressure is less and cannot hold back the vaporization of water molecules as much as it would at sea level. Conversely, at higher pressures, the boiling point of water is higher.