What is specific latent heat?

The specific latent heat is the energy required to change 1 kg of a particular substance from one state to another, without a change in temperature.

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What happens to the temperature of a substance whilst it changes state?

The temperature remains constant.

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Why does the temperature of a substance remain constant while it is melting or boiling? 

The temperature remains constant because the energy is used to break the forces holding the particles together rather than being transferred to the particle's kinetic energy stores. 

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What is the specific latent heat of fusion?

The specific latent heat of fusion refers to when a substance changes from a solid to a liquid (or from a liquid to a solid).

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What is the specific latent heat of vaporisation?

The specific latent heat of vaporisation refers to when a substance changes from a liquid to a gas (or from a gas to a liquid).

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What is the formula that links energy, latent heat, and mass?

Energy (E) = mass (m) x latent heat (L)


E = mL

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What is the term for the temperature change that occurs at point A on the diagram above?

The boiling point.


(the substance changes from a gas to a liquid (or from a liquid to a gas) at this temperature - you may also see it called the 'condensing point')

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What is the term for the temperature change that occurs at point B on the diagram above?

The melting point.


(the substance changes from a liquid to a solid (or from a solid to a liquid) at this temperature - you may also see it called the 'freezing point')

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What will a temperature-time graph look like for a solid being heated until it turns into a gas?

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