Latent heat is the heat released or absorbed by a body or a thermodynamic system during a process that occurs without a change in temperature. A typical example is a change of state of matter, meaning a phase transition such as the melting of ice or the boiling of water. The term was introduced around 1762 by Joseph Black. It is derived from the Latin latere (to lie hidden). Black used the term in the context of calorimetry when referring to the heat transferred that caused a change of volume while the thermodynamic system was held at constant temperature.
In contrast to latent heat, an energy is called a sensible energy or heat, when it causes processes that do result in a change of the temperature of the system.
| Thermodynamics |
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| The classical Carnot heat engine |
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Branches
Classical · Statistical · Chemical Equilibrium / Non-equilibrium |
| Laws Zeroth · First · Second · Third |
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Systems
State: Equation of state Ideal gas · Real gas Phase of matter · Equilibrium Control volume · Instruments Read more about Latent Heat: Usage, History, Specific Latent Heat, Table of Latent Heats, Latent Heat For Condensation of Water Famous quotes containing the words latent and/or heat:“In history an additional result is commonly produced by human actions beyond that which they aim at and obtain—that which they immediately recognize and desire. They gratify their own interest; but something further is thereby accomplished, latent in the actions in question, though not present to their consciousness, and not included in their design.” “For, ere Demetrius looked on Hermia’s eyne, |