Latent Heat Explained: Understanding the Energy Required to Change Phases

What is latent heat?

What does latent heat refer to when discussing the energy required to change phases? Is it related to breaking molecular bonds or transitioning from solid to liquid?

Answer:

The answer is B. The latent heat of fusion is the energy required to go from a solid to a liquid. It is the amount of heat energy that must be added to a substance at its melting point to convert it from a solid to a liquid, without changing its temperature.

Latent heat is the amount of heat energy required to change the phase of a substance without changing its temperature. In this case, the latent heat of fusion specifically refers to the energy needed to transition a substance from a solid to a liquid state.

Option A describes the energy required to break molecular bonds, which is known as bond dissociation energy. Option C describes the energy required to go from a solid to a gas, which is called the latent heat of sublimation. Option D describes the energy needed to go from a liquid to a gas, known as the latent heat of vaporization.

Understanding latent heat is crucial in various fields of science and engineering, as it plays a critical role in processes involving phase changes. By grasping the concept of latent heat, we can better comprehend the energy dynamics involved in transforming substances from one phase to another.