What is steam?

Steam is defined as the vapor that forms when water is heated to its boiling point. At this temperature, water transitions from its liquid state to a gaseous state, leading to the production of steam. This process is a result of the molecules in the water gaining sufficient energy to break free from the liquid's surface and escape into the atmosphere as vapor.

Understanding this transition is crucial for various applications, particularly in stationary engineering, where steam plays a significant role in energy production, heating systems, and various industrial processes. It is also essential to grasp the thermodynamic principles involved in the heating and phase changes of water to appreciate the generation and use of steam in various systems.

Other options describe different states of matter or processes that do not accurately characterize steam. For instance, a solid formed from cooled water refers to ice, while a compressed gas does not specifically pertain to steam. Similarly, condensation refers to the process by which vapor turns back into liquid, which is the opposite of what steam represents.