Chapter 54, Problem 1SA

What is the amount of heat necessary to change the state of a substance called?

To determine

The name given to the amount of heat necessary to change the state of a substance.

Answer to Problem 1SA

The heat necessary to change the state of a substance is termed as latent heat.

Explanation of Solution

When there is a change in state of a substance that is the substance becomes liquid from solid or vapor from liquid or vice versa, a huge amount of heat is required, this heat is termed as latent heat of vaporization and this process is termed as phase change.

Phase change is quite a complex process and during this process, no change in pressure or temperature is observed.

Conclusion:

Thus, the heat necessary to change the state of a substance is termed as latent heat.