What does latent heat of vaporization refer to?

Latent heat of vaporization refers to the amount of heat energy that is required to change a substance from a liquid to a vapor at its boiling point without changing its temperature. This process occurs when a liquid absorbs heat energy, which allows the molecules to overcome the intermolecular forces holding them together in the liquid state, enabling them to enter the gas phase.

In the context of steam and cooking processes, understanding this concept is crucial, as it relates to how steam is generated and utilized in various cooking and food preparation methods. The latent heat of vaporization is significant because it indicates the energy transfer involved when water transforms into steam, which is an important factor in functions such as sterilization and food cooking.

The other choices in the question refer to different thermal processes. Freezing a substance involves the heat removal necessary to transition from a liquid to a solid. Heating a substance from solid to liquid describes the latent heat of fusion. Lastly, increasing temperature without a phase change refers to sensible heat, which is the energy added to increase the temperature of a substance without changing its state. These distinctions are essential for accurately understanding the various types of heat transfer and energy transformation in food equipment and processes.