SPECIFIC

LATENT HEAT

The amount of heat required to change the phase of 1 kg

substance at a constant temperature

SPECIFIC LATENT HEAT

OF FUSION, lf

The amount of heat required to change

1 kg substance at a constant temperature
from solid to liquid phase without change
in temperature

lf = Q

SPECIFIC LATENT HEAT

OF VAPORISATION, lv

The amount of heat required to change

1 kg substance at a constant temperature
from liquid to gas phase without change in
temperature

(J)

lv = Q

(J)

(kg)

(kg)

unit = J kg-1

unit = J kg-1

Example : Latent heat of fusion for water is

3.36 x 105 J kg-1
this means :
for 1 kg water (liquid) to change into ice
(solid), the amount of heat needed
(absorbed) is 3.36 x 105 J

Example : Latent heat of vaporisation for

water is 2.26 x 106 J kg-1
this means :
for 1 kg water (liquid) to change into
steam (gas), the amount of heat needed
(absorbed) is 2.26 x 106 J
or

or
for 1 kg ice (solid) to change into water
(liquid), the amount of heat needed
(released) is 3.36 x 105 J

for 1 kg steam (gas) to change into water

(liquid), the amount of heat needed
(released) is 2.26 x 106 J

Latent Heat absorbed

Latent Heat absorbed

1 kg
Solid
at

Latent Heat released

1 kg
Liquid

1 kg
Liquid

Latent Heat
absorbed
o

Latent Heat
absorbed

Ice at 0 C

Water at 0 C
Latent Heat
released

Latent Heat released

1 kg
Gas

Water at 100 oC

Latent Heat
released

Steam at 100 oC