Explanation of why latent heat does not increase kinetic energy:

Introduction:
When a substance undergoes a phase change, such as melting or boiling, heat is added or removed from the substance. This heat is known as latent heat. Unlike sensible heat, which increases the temperature of a substance and therefore its kinetic energy, latent heat does not directly increase the kinetic energy of the substance.

Understanding Latent Heat:
Latent heat is the heat energy absorbed or released during a phase change without changing the temperature of the substance. It is associated with the potential energy required to break or form intermolecular forces between the particles of the substance. The energy absorbed or released during a phase change is used to either break or form these intermolecular forces, rather than increasing the kinetic energy of the particles.

Breaking Down the Process:
When a substance is heated, its temperature increases, which indicates an increase in the average kinetic energy of its particles. However, when the substance reaches its boiling or melting point, further heating does not increase its temperature. Instead, the added heat is used to overcome the intermolecular forces holding the particles together, causing the substance to change its phase.

Key Points:
- Latent heat refers to the heat energy absorbed or released during a phase change.
- It does not directly increase the kinetic energy of the substance.
- Latent heat is associated with the potential energy required to break or form intermolecular forces between particles.
- During a phase change, the added heat is used to overcome intermolecular forces rather than increasing kinetic energy.
- The temperature of a substance remains constant during a phase change.

Conclusion:
In conclusion, latent heat does not increase the kinetic energy of a substance because it is used to break or form intermolecular forces during a phase change. While sensible heat increases the temperature and therefore the kinetic energy of a substance, latent heat is associated with the potential energy of these intermolecular forces. Understanding the distinction between sensible heat and latent heat is essential in comprehending the behavior of substances during phase changes.