Latent Heat - GCSE Physics Definition

Latent Heat is the amount of thermal energy required to change the state of a substance without changing its temperature. There is no temperature change because energy is used to create or break bonds, rather than increasing temperature. It is an important concept in GCSE Physics, particularly when studying phase changes such as melting, boiling, or freezing. There are two main types of latent heat; latent heat of fusion, which is the energy required to melt or freeze a substance, and latent heat of vaporisation, which is the energy needed to boil or condense a substance. Each different substance has its own specific value for both types of latent heat, as they are properties of a substance. This energy is crucial in processes where temperature remains constant during the phase change, allowing scientists to calculate how much energy is involved in these transitions.