Latent heat
Latent Heat
Latent heat is a type of energy in the form of heat that is either absorbed or released by a substance during a phase change. This is an important concept in thermodynamics, the study of heat and temperature.
Definition[edit | edit source]
Latent heat is defined as the heat absorbed or released by a substance during a phase change from a gas to a liquid or a liquid to a solid and vice versa. This heat transfer occurs without a change in temperature. The term "latent" comes from the Latin word "latens", meaning "hidden".
Types of Latent Heat[edit | edit source]
There are two main types of latent heat: latent heat of fusion and latent heat of vaporization.
Latent Heat of Fusion[edit | edit source]
The latent heat of fusion is the amount of heat energy required to change a substance from a solid to a liquid at its melting point, without changing its temperature.
Latent Heat of Vaporization[edit | edit source]
The latent heat of vaporization is the amount of heat energy required to change a substance from a liquid to a gas at its boiling point, without changing its temperature.
Applications of Latent Heat[edit | edit source]
Latent heat has many practical applications. It is used in refrigeration systems, where the latent heat of vaporization of a refrigerant is used to absorb heat from the surroundings. It is also used in meteorology to explain the processes of cloud formation and precipitation.
See Also[edit | edit source]
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