Final answer:
Firefighters can sweat out approximately 1 to 2 quarts of water per hour during strenuous activities while wearing protective gear.
Step-by-step explanation:
Firefighters engaged in strenuous physical activity while wearing PPE ensembles can sweat out a significant amount of water per hour, and understanding the various units of volume can help to quantify this. When comparing standard units of volume like cups, pints, quarts, and gallons, conversions are essential. An excessive amount of water loss through sweat may lead to dehydration, which is why proper hydration is crucial for firefighters. Furthermore, when considering the amount sweated out, it's important to note that evaporating about 3 grams per minute, which equates to roughly 180 grams (about 7 ounces) per hour, is reasonable.
Considering the information provided and the common conversions, the correct answer to the student's question is: Firefighters engaged in strenuous physical activity while wearing PPE ensembles can sweat out a D. 1 to 2 quarts of water per hour.