Question 9.
Answer the following:
What is meant by latent heat? How will the state of matter transform if latent heat is given off?
Answer:
Latent heat: The amount of heat energy required by any substance to convert from one state to another state is called latent heat. There are two types of latent heat:
1. Latent heat of fusion
2. Latent heat of vaporization
⇒ When latent heat of fusion is applied, the substance changes from solid phase to liquid phase. This means the substance absorbs heat energy which is used to break the bonds of the solid atoms and transform it into liquid phase.
⇒ When latent heat of vaporization was applied, the water in liquid state transforms into gaseous state. This means the water absorbs heat energy which is used to break the bonds of the liquid molecules and convert the liquid into gaseous state.
