3.2.8

Latent Heat

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Latent Heat

Latent heat is the energy that is transferred to a substance without the substance's temperature changing. This happens when a substance is changing state.

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Where does latent heat go?

  • When a substance changes state, this energy is absorbed (used) to create or weaken bonds, rather than transfer kinetic energy to a substance’s particles.
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Why isn't latent heat measured?

  • If we measure energy using the change in temperature, this energy transfer will not be measured.
  • The energy is transferred without the temperature changing.
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Specific latent heat

  • Specific latent heat is the latent heat per 1kg of mass.
  • It is a way to standardise across objects that have different masses.
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Latent heat's other names

  • When a solid becomes a liquid or a liquid becomes a solid, this hidden energy is called the latent heat of fusion.
  • When a gas becomes a liquid, or a liquid becomes a gas, this hidden energy is called the latent heat of vaporisation.
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Change in state

  • The equation for calculating the energy change experienced by a substance when it changes state is:
    • E=mlE = ml
    • Energy = mass × specific latent heat

Jump to other topics

1Energy

2Electricity

3Particle Model of Matter

4Atoms & Radiation

5Forces

5.1Basics of Motion

5.2Forces

5.3Effects of Forces

5.4Pressure

6Waves

7Magnetism

8Astrophysics

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