Latent Heat
Definition
The energy required to change the phase of a substance without changing its temperature. It is spent separating molecules and overcoming intermolecular attractions rather than increasing molecular motion.
Latent heat is felt as evaporative cooling when water leaves the skin, stealing the energy required to escape from whatever it was touching. In boilers latent heat is supplied continuously by an external fuel source, while in cooling towers the same requirement is paid by the bulk liquid as a small fraction evaporates. It does not register on a thermometer because it goes into breaking bonds, not raising temperature.
Related concepts
Phase Change · Evaporative Cooling · Sensible Heat
How it connects
- this drives Latent Heat of Vaporization
Part of The Blueprint of Water · 🔥 thermodynamics