Which of the following is true about the latent heat of vaporization?a...
Understanding Latent Heat of Vaporization
The latent heat of vaporization is a crucial concept in thermodynamics, especially when discussing phase changes of substances. Let's break down its significance and what it entails.
Definition
- The latent heat of vaporization refers to the amount of energy required to convert a unit mass of a liquid into gas at a constant temperature and pressure.
- This process occurs without a change in temperature, meaning that all the energy supplied is used for changing the phase rather than increasing the temperature.
Why Option B is Correct
- Phase Change: When a liquid is heated to its boiling point, it requires additional energy to overcome the intermolecular forces holding the liquid molecules together. This energy input results in vaporization.
- Energy Requirement: The energy needed for this conversion is significant and varies for different substances. For example, water has a high latent heat of vaporization, which is why it requires considerable heat to boil.
Why Other Options are Incorrect
- Option A: This describes the latent heat of fusion, which is associated with melting a solid into a liquid.
- Option C: This also pertains to the latent heat of fusion, as it relates to solidifying a liquid back into a solid.
- Option D: This refers to the specific heat capacity, which is the energy required to raise the temperature of a substance, not related to phase changes.
Conclusion
Understanding the latent heat of vaporization is essential, as it explains why certain materials require more energy to change states, impacting weather, climate, and numerous industrial processes.
Which of the following is true about the latent heat of vaporization?a...
The latent heat of vaporization is the amount of heat energy needed to convert a liquid into a gas without changing its temperature. Here are some key points:
- This process occurs at the boiling point of the liquid.
- During vaporization, heat energy is absorbed, which allows particles to break free from each other.
- The term "latent" means hidden, as this heat does not raise the temperature.
- For water, the latent heat of vaporization is significant, as it requires a considerable amount of energy to change from liquid to gas.