# Specific latent heat

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Latent heat

Latent heat of a substance is the amount of energy absorbed or released by the substance during a change in its physical state that occurs without changing its temperature.

• SI unit of latent heat is the joule (J).
• The latent heat associated with melting a solid or freezing a liquid is called the latent heat of fusion (Lf); that associated with vapourizing a liquid or a solid or condensing a vapour is called the latent heat of vaporization (Lv).

Specific latent heat of fusion

Specific latent heat of fusion, lf, of a substance is defined as the amount of heat required to change a unit mass of the substance from solid to liquid state, without any change in the temperature.

• SI unit of specific latent heat of fusion, lf, is joule per kilogram (Jkg-1)
• $Q = ml_{f}$, where
Q = amount of thermal energy absorbed or released
m = mass of substace
lf = specific latent heat of fusion.

Specific latent heat of vapourization

Specific latent heat of vapourization, lv, of a substance is defined as the amount of heat required to change unit mass of the substance from liquid state to gas state without a temperature change.

• SI unit of specific latent heat of vapourization, lv, of a substance is joule per kilogram (Jkg-1)
• $Q = ml_{v}$ , where
Q = amount of thermal energy absorbed or released
m = mass of substace
lf = specific latent heat of vapourization.

Latent heat in terms of molecular behaviour

Latent heat energy is absorbed or given out while a substance undergoes state change. The average kinetic energy of the molecules does not change so that the temperature remains constant.

• During melting, heat absorbed by the solid is used to break the inter-molecular bonds between the molecules of solid substance.
• During vapourization, heat absorbed by the liquid is used to break the inter-molecular bonds completely between the molecules of liquid substance.

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### 11 thoughts on “Specific latent heat”

1. Pls I need to know what heat is in terms of molecular disorder

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2. Specific latent heat of fusion, lf, of a substance is defined as the amount of heat required to change a unit mass of the substance from solid to liquid state, without any change in the temperature.

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Specific latent heat of fusion, lf, of a substance is defined as the amount of heat required to change a unit mass of the substance at its melting point ,without any change in the temperature

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3. I like physics ooo

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4. Please I need help in physics

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5. I love to study Physics

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• me too

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• Please let me send u this questions and after solving the questions send me back answer please

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6. can you help me in physics …

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7. Explain latent heat in terms of molecular behavior ????????

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8. never mind, both of them have the same SI unit.

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9. Hello! Just wanted to inform that instead of giving the SI unit of specific latent heat of vapourization, the definition of Lv is given. 😛

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