What is latent heat?

Latent heat refers specifically to the amount of energy absorbed or released by a substance during a phase change, such as melting, freezing, boiling, or condensation, without a change in temperature. This concept is crucial in various applications, including steam systems, where water transforms into steam or vice versa.

During these phase transitions, the thermal energy is used to break or form intermolecular bonds rather than to increase the temperature of the substance. For instance, when ice melts to become water, it requires energy (latent heat of fusion) without an increase in temperature until all the ice has converted to liquid water.

Understanding latent heat is vital for those working with steam equipment as it plays a significant role in determining the efficiency of steam generation and the overall operation of heating systems within commercial food service settings.

In contrast, the other options describe different thermal processes, such as sensible heat, which involves temperature changes, rather than energy exchange occurring at constant temperature during phase changes.