LESSON 3 –

Understanding
specific latent
heat, l
What does the word “latent heat
“ mean? Latent heat and kinetic theory

Latent heat means hidden heat. This In a solid, the molecules are linked to
heat energy changes the state of a the neighbors by forces of attraction.
substance (phase change). The heat As the solid is heated , the molecules
cannot be ‘seen’ because there is no vibrate more strongly. When the solid
rise in temperature of the substance. reaches its melting point, the
vibrations have become so strong that
the links begin to give way. Extra
Phase Change
energy is needed to overcome these
forces and separate the molecules.
When a phase change has occurred , This is called the latent heat of
latent heat is absorbed or released. fusion. No temperature rise occurs
during this process, because the latent
heat of fusion is used to overcome the
intermolecular binding forces. The
average translational kinetic energy
does not change, so the temperature
remains constant.

In a liquid, the molecules are free

enough to slide around and change
neighbors, but they are still almost as
close to each other as in a solid. The
links are weaker but still effective. As
the liquid is heated further, the kinetic
energy of the molecules increases
more. At the boiling point, the
molecules break free from each other
and become a gas. Energy is needed
to overcome the remaining links. This
is called the latent heat of
vaporisation.
No temperature rise occurs during this
process, because the latent heat of
vaporisation is used to overcome the
intermolecular binding forces. The
average translational kinetic energy
does not change, so the temperature
remains constant.

The Heating and Cooling Curve

(Naphthalene)

17
Heating curve

Freezing point = 80o C

Condensation point = 218o C
Melting point = 80o C Boiling point =
218o C AB= Gas BC = Gas + Liquid CD =
AB= Solid , BC = solid + liquid CD Liquid
= liquid DE = Liquid + Solid EF = Solid
DE = liquid + gas EF = gas
At AB,CD and EF :
At AB,CD and EF : Heat is released to the surroundings
The heat supplied increases the and the kinetic energy of the
kinetic energy of naphthalene. So the molecules decreases, resulting in a fall
temperature rises because the in the temperature of the
temperature is a measure of the naphthalene because the temperature
average kinetic energy of molecules in is a measure of the average kinetic
a substance energy of molecules in a substance

At BC,DE : At BC,DE :
At t1 and t2 phase change has At t1 and t2 phase change has
occurred. occurred.
The latent heat is absorbed to provide The latent heat is released to the
the energy to overcome the binding surroundings as the molecules
forces between the molecules. The become more closely pack.. The
energy absorbed does not increase energy released does not decrease
the kinetic energy of the molecules, so the kinetic energy of the molecules, so
the temperature remains constant. the temperature remains constant.

Cooling curve
Definition and the S.I unit of
Specific Latent Heat ,l

The specific latent heat of fusion , lf :

Is the quantity heat of energy required
to change 1 kg of a substance from
the solid state to the liquid state ,
without a change in temperature.

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The specific latent heat of Solution
Vaporisation , lv :
Is the quantity heat of energy required Example 3
to change 1 kg of a substance from
the liquid state to the gaseous state , Calculate the heat required to convert
without a change in temperature. 4 kg of ice at
- 15o C into steam at 100o C.
The S.I. unit of lf and lv is J kg-1 ( Specific heat capacity of ice = 2.1 x
103J kg-1oC-1,
Specific heat capacity of water = 4.2
The relationship between m,l x 103J kg-1oC-1,
and Q Latent heat of fusion of ice = 3.34 x
105 J kg-1 and
Q = Latent heat of vaporisation of water
ml =
2.26 x 106 J kg-1 )
Where,
Q = the heat energy transferred Solution
to the
substance
m = the mass of the substance
l = the specific latent heat of
the
substance

Example 1

What is the quantity of heat required

to melt 2.0 kg ice at 0 o C.
(The specific latent heat of fusion of
ice =
3.34 x 105 J kg-1)

Solution

Example 2

How much energy has to be removed

from 4.0 kg of water at 20o C to
produce a block of ice at 0 o C. (The
specific heat capacity of water =
4.2 x 103 J kg-1 o C-1
The specific latent heat of fusion of ice
=
3.34 x 105 J kg-1)

19
 After a period of t , the heater in Set A
is switched off.
The masses of both beakers of water ,
A and B are determined using the
weighing balance.
Mass of beaker A + water = m3
Mass of beaker B + water = m4
Calculate mass of ice melted by the
electric immersion heater, m = (m3 -
To determine the latent heat of m1) - (m4 - m2)
fusion of ice
Calculate the heat supplied by the
heater = Pt
Calculate the heat absorbed by the ice
during melting = mlf
On the assumption that there is no
heat loss to surroundings;,
Pt = mlf
lf = Pt
m
Precautions

(1) The immersion heater must be

fully immersed in the ice cubes
to avoid or reduce heat loss

Discussions
The value of the specific latent
heat of fusion of ice ,lf determined
in the experiment is larger than
the standard value of lf.
This is because the experimental
value of the mass of ice melted ,m
less than the expected m due to
some heat loss to the
surroundings.
The electrical power of the heater is The smaller the mass m, the
recorded = P greater the
The mass of each the two empty specific latent heat of fusion of
beakers is determined using the ice,lf,
weighing balance. lf↑ = Pt
Mass of empty beaker A = m1 m↓
Mass of empty beaker B = m2
When water starts to drip from the
To determine the latent heat of
filter funnels at a steady rate, the
vaporisation of water
heater in Set A is switched on.
The stopwatch is started and the
empty beakers A and B are placed
beneath the filter funnels.

20
 evaporated ,m less than the
expected m due to some heat loss
to the surroundings.
The smaller the mass m, the
greater the
specific latent heat of fusion of
ice,lv,
lv↑ = Pt
m↓

Example 4
The electrical power of the heater is
recorded = P A 800 W electric heater is used to boil
The electric heater is switched on the water. What is the time required to
heat the water to its boiling point. reduce the mass of water by 4 kg after
When the water starts to boil at a the water has reached its boiling
steady rate , the stopwatch is started point?
and the reading on the balance is [ Specific latent heat of vaporization of
recorded = m1 water =
After a time ,t the reading on the 2.26 x 106 J kg -1 ]
electronic balance is recorded again =
m2 Solution
Calculate the mass of water
evaporated, m = m1 - m2
Calculate the heat supplied by the
heater = Pt Example 5
Calculate the heat absorbed by the
water during vaporisation = mlv 0.5 kg of a solid is heated by a 100 W
On the assumption that there is no heater. The graph shows how the
heat loss to surroundings;, temperature substance varies with
Pt = mlv time.
lv = Pt
m
Precautions

(1) The immersion heater must be

fully immersed in the water to
avoid or reduce direct heat loss
to the surroundings.

Discussions Calculate the specific latent heat of

The value of the specific latent fusion of the solid.
heat of vaporization of water ,lv
determined in the experiment is Solution
larger than the standard value of Applications of Specific Latent
lv. Heat in Everyday Life
This is because the experimental
value of the mass of water (1) When we are engaged in
strenuous activities , sweating

21
 cools our bodies. The sweat
evaporates and the bodies heat is
removed as the latent heat of
vaporisation. thus our bodies
temperature is decreased.

(2) Drinks can be cooled by adding in

several cubes of ice. When the ice
is melting , the latent heat of fusion
is absorbed from the drinks. The
temperature of the drinks is
lowered.

(3) Food can be cooked by using

steam. Food such as cakes, eggs,
fish, buns and others receive a
large amount of energy when the
latent heat of vaporization of
steam released from condensing
steam.

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 TUTORIAL

1 Latent heat is “hidden” because

A cannot be measured
B does not actually exist
C is a form of internal kinetic
energy
D cannot be seen in the form of At which stage is the substance in
a temperature rise a solid and liquid state at the
same time?
2 A substance changes from a liquid
state to a solid state. This process
is called

A fusion B sublimation
C vaporization D
solidification
A PQ B QR
C RS D ST
3 A liquid naphthalene begin to
solidify.
6 The graph shows the cooling curve
Which of the following is true?
of a substance.
A Temperature decreases
B Temperature increases
C Heat is absorbed
D Heat is released

4 The latent heat is released when

A liquid changes to steam

B solid changes to steam Which of the following is true?
C steam change to liquid
A At section WX the average
5 The graph shows the heating kinetic energy of the
curve of a substance. substance molecules
decreases
B At section XY heat is not
released
C At section YZ the substance
exits in the
solid and liquid states

7 The diagram shows a process in

which water is changed to steam.

23
 D Mercury -39 357

11 The specific latent heat of fusion

The heat absorbed during the of ice is the quantity of energy
process is called required to

A specific heat capacity of A change 1 kg of ice from ice

vapour to water with 1o C rise in
B specific heat capacity of liquid temperature
C latent heat of vaporisation B change 1 kg of ice from
D latent heat of fusion water to steam without a
change in temperature
8 When the hot steam condenses to C change 1 kg of ice from
water , water to steam with 1o C rise
in temperature
A the density of the steam D change 1 kg of ice from ice
decreases to water without a change in
B the latent heat is absorbed temperature
from the surroundings
D the kinetic energy of the 12 0.4 kg of water at 100o C. What is
molecules are remain constant the quantity of heat required to
D the distance of separation change the water to steam at
between molecules increase 100oC?
[ Specific latent heat of
vaporisation of water
9 Aniline melts at -6oC and boils at =2.3x106 J kg-1 ]
184oC.
At which temperature would A 9.2 x102 J B 9.2
aniline not be a liquid? x105 J
C 9.2 x106 J D 9.2
A o
-10 C B o
-4 C x108 J
C 78o C D 156o C E 9.2 x1010 J

10 The table gives the melting points 13 What is the quantity of heat
and the boiling points of four released to change 0.3 kg of water
elements . Which element is liquid at 0o C to ice at 0o C ?
at 1 000o C? [ specific latent heat of fusion of
ice =
Element Melting point 3.3 x105 J kg -1 ]
Boiling point
/oC /oC . A 9.9 x102 J B 9.9 x104 J
C 9.9 x106 J D 9.9 x108 J
A Aluminium 660 D 9.9 x1010 J
2470
B Chlorine -101 14 What is the quantity of heat
-35 required to change 0.02 kg of ice
C iron 1540 at 0o C to water at 40o C ?
2750 [ specific heat capacity of water =
4.2 x 103 J kg-1 o C-1

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 specific latent heat of fusion of E 1.45 x106J kg-1
ice =
3.34 x105 J kg -1 ] 18 A solid is heated by an electrical
heater. Which one of the following
A 3 320 J B 3 360 J graph shows the solid have the
C 6 680 J D 10 040 J large specific heat capacity and
E 267 200 J the large specific latent heat?

15 The melt naphthalene of mass

0.01 kg at 90o C is cooled until it
has solidified at 80o C.
What is the quantity of heat is
released ?
[ specific heat capacity of
naphthalene =
2.1 x 103 J kg-1 o C-1
specific latent heat of fusion of
naphthalene =
1.7 x105 J kg -1 ]

A 210 J B 1 490 J
C 1 700 J D 1 910 J
E 2400 J

16 A 2 000 W electric heater is used

to change
2 kg of water at 100o C to steam.
What is the time taken to change
the water to steam?
[ Specific latent heat of
vaporisation of water
=2.26 x106 Jkg-1 ]

A 590 s B 1540 s
C 2260 s D 3280 s
E 4070 s

17 A 500 W electric heater is used to

heat 0.1 kg of a liquid to its
boiling point. The liquid is allowed
to boil in 3 minutes again until
the mass of liquid becomes 0.06
kg.
What is the specific latent heat of
vaporisation of the liquid?

A 4.75 x106J kg-1 B 3.85

x106J kg-1
C 2.25 x106J kg-1 D 1.15
x10 J kg-1
6

25
 A The temperature of wet cloth
is lower than cold water
B Wet cloth has the large
specific latent heat than cold
water
C Wet cloth reached the thermal
equilibrium more faster than
cold water
D The water from wet cloth
absorbed the specific latent
heat from the bottle to
evaporate

22 Figure (a) shows an arrangement

of the apparatus to determine the
specific latent heat of fusion of ice.
At the beginning , beaker A
contains 0.24 kg of ice. The taken
to melt the ice is recorded.

19 Why do people feel cool if they do

not dry themselves after
swimming in the sea?

A Water evaporates and causes

cooling
B Water insulates them from the
warm air
C Water is good conductor of
heat
D Water is colder than the air
Figure(a)
20 A steam burn is more damaging
than a burn
(a) What is the function of
from boiling water at the same
(i) beaker B
temperature. It is because

A the water boils and released

heat to surroundings ………………………………………
B the steam has a higher …
temperature than the boiling (ii) the rheostat
water
C the heat released from
condensing steam.
………………………………………
21 At a picnic, why would wrapping a …
bottle in a wet cloth be a better
method of cooling than placing the (b) In this experiment , the
bottle in a bucket of cold water? readings

26
 of voltmeter and ammeter are specific latent heat of
12.0 V and 4.0 A fusion of ice determined in
respectively. All of the ice is the experiment is larger
melted in 30 minutes. than the standard value of .
Determine the specific latent Explain why it happen and
heat of fusion of ice. suggest a method to
improve the situation.

………………………………………

………………………………………

………………………………………
(c) Figure (b) shows another
iii
arrangement of the apparatus
iv ………………………………
to determine the specific ……….
latent heat of fusion of ice. v
………………………………………

………………………………………
vi
23 A solid substance of mass 0.1 kg
is heated using 200 W heater. A
graph showing in variation of
temperature with time is shown in
Figure below.

Figure (b)

(i) State one advantage used

the arrangement of the (a) Based on the graph , what are
apparatus in Figure (b) the states of matter between
compare arrangement of point
the apparatus in Figure (i)
(a).
WX………………………………………
………………………………………
. (ii)
………………………………………

……………………………………… XY……………………………………
ii (ii) When the ….
arrangement of the
apparatus in Figure (b) is (iii)
used , the observation
showed that he value of the YZ……………………………………
….

27
 (b) Using kinetic theory of
matter ,explain
why
(i) at section XY , the
temperature is remains
constant?

……………………………………… When sweat evaporates, it

… takes heat away from our
body.
(i) What is meant by
………………………………………… evaporation?

………………………………………
(ii) at section YZ the …
temperature increases

………………………………………
………………………………………… …

………………………………………… ………………………………………
…

(c) Using the graph,

determine ………………………………………
(i) the melting point of …
the substance? (ii) Using kinetic theory of
matter, explain how
evaporation takes away
………………………………………… heat from our body.
(ii) the specific latent heat
of fusion of the
substance.. ………………………………………
…
24 (a) Sweating is one of the ways
our body
maintains the body ………………………………………
temperature of about 37o C. …
Sweat is largely made up of
water and it comes from sweat
glands as shown in the ………………………………………
following figure. …

………………………………………
…

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………………………………………
…

………………………………………
…

(b) State two environmental

factors that affect the rate
of evaporation of sweat.

1…………………………………
………

2…………………………………
………

(c) While playing badminton,

0.05 kg of sweat was
evaporated from Ahmad’s
body. Calculate the
quantity of heat lost from
his body due to the
evaporation.
The latent heat of
vaporization of sweat is 2.3
x 106 J kg-1 .

29