1. What is Latent Heat?

Latent heat is the amount of energy absorbed or released by a substance during a phase change at constant temperature. For water, this occurs during melting, freezing, vaporization, or condensation.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the latent heat equation:

Where:

• \( L \) — Latent heat (J/kg)
• \( Q \) — Heat energy (J)
• \( m \) — Mass (kg)

Explanation: The equation calculates the energy per unit mass required for a phase change.

3. Importance of Latent Heat Calculation

Details: Calculating latent heat is essential for understanding energy requirements in phase changes, designing heating/cooling systems, and studying thermodynamic processes.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter heat energy in joules and mass in kilograms. Both values must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What's the difference between latent and sensible heat?
A: Latent heat involves energy during phase changes (no temperature change), while sensible heat changes temperature without phase change.

Q2: What are typical latent heat values for water?
A: For water, latent heat of fusion is ~334 kJ/kg (melting/freezing) and vaporization is ~2260 kJ/kg (boiling/condensation).

Q3: Why is latent heat important in weather?
A: Latent heat release drives atmospheric convection and storm development when water vapor condenses.

Q4: How does pressure affect latent heat?
A: At higher pressures, latent heat of vaporization decreases as boiling point increases.

Q5: Can this calculator be used for other substances?
A: The equation applies generally, but you must use the appropriate latent heat value for the specific substance and phase change.