Specific Latent Heat

• Latent heat


  The energy needed to change the state of a substance
• Change of state


  1. Putting in energy

  2. Breaking bonds between particles

  3. Not raising temperature
• When a substance is melting or boiling


  Energy is being transferred by heating but not being used to change the temperature
• When a substance is condensing or freezing

  Bonds are forming between particles, which releases energy
• Specific latent heat (SLH)

  The amount of energy needed to change 1 kg of a substance from one state to another without changing its temperature
• Specific latent heat


  • It is different for different materials, and for changing between different states
  • The specific latent heat for changing between a solid and a liquid is called the specific latent heat of fusion
  • The specific latent heat for changing between a liquid and a gas is called the specific latent heat of vaporisation
• Specific latent heat is about changes of state where there is no temperature change
• Temperature doesn't change during a change of state