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Chapter 7: Problem 8

What is latent heat? How is it involved in the phase changes of water?

Short Answer

Expert verified
Latent heat is the energy absorbed or released by a substance during a phase change. It is responsible for ensuring a constant temperature during the phase changes of water, such as melting, evaporation, and sublimation. For instance, for ice to melt into water or water to evaporate into steam, it must absorb latent heat without any increase in temperature.

Step by step solution

01

Understand the concept of Latent Heat

Latent heat is the amount of energy absorbed or released by a substance during a constant-temperature process, such as a phase change. The term 'latent' comes from a Latin word Latere, meaning 'to lie hidden.' In the context of phase changes, 'latent' means 'hidden' or 'concealed,' as this heat causes a phase change without changing temperature.
02

Recognize the role of Latent Heat in phase changes

Latent heat is involved in the phase changes of water. For water to change from a solid (ice) to a liquid (water), or from a liquid to a gas (steam), it must absorb latent heat. The amount of latent heat needed for these transitions is quite substantial and occurs without any rise in temperature. It ensures that the temperature remains constant during phase changes.
03

Identify the specific phase changes

There are three important phase change processes involved - melt/freeze, evaporate/condense, and sublimate/deposit. The amount of latent heat is reported differently for each phase. It is 'latent heat of fusion' for solid to liquid phase, 'latent heat of vaporization' for liquid to gas phase, and 'latent heat of sublimation' for solid to gas phase.

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