A body of matter which is confined in a particular space by the boundaries is called a thermodynamic system. They have definite permeability. According to their boundaries they may be classified as closed systems, open systems, and isolated systems. In an isolated system, there is no transformation of energy or matter across the boundaries of the system. There is no work done on the system.
In a closed system, there is a transformation of energy but the matter cannot be transferred across the boundaries. In an open system, there is a free exchange of energy and matter across boundaries. Thermodynamics comes under the branch of physics which discusses heat, work, and temperature and their relations with energy, entropy, and some other physical properties of matter.
When a physical state of the substance changes without changing its temperature by absorbing or releasing energy. This energy is called latent heat. The latent heat concept was first given by the British chemist Joseph Black. To record the latent heat value he first used calorimetry. It is the work or energy that is needed to overcome the force between the atoms or molecules in a material. Generally, molecular vibrations are greater in gas. If heat is given to water the vibration will increase. Thus the applied energy changes the mobility of the molecules. This is called latent heat.
This heat is conveyed in a system in three ways. They are latent heat of vaporization, latent heat of sublimation, and latent heat of fusion.
The quantity of heat energy that is grasped or emitted by the matter for the transition of solid to liquid is known as latent heat of fusion. The energy applied at air pressure melts the matter from solid to liquid. The change in enthalpy of the material which dissolves is the latent heat of fusion. Example ice gets melted by absorbing the heat.
The quantity of heat energy that is grasped or emitted by the matter to transfer the matter from liquid to gas is the latent heat of vaporization. The energy applied to the matter at constant temperature for the transformation of the state of matter is the latent heat of vaporization. Here the latent heat is accompanied by no change in temperature but only the change in condition.
Fig:1 Apparatus for Measuring the Latent Heat of Vaporization of a Liquid, vintage engraving
The quantity of energy that is grasped or released by the matter for the transition of solid directly to the gaseous state skipping the intermediate state. This energy is the latent heat of sublimation. The energy applied to the matter at a constant temperature for the transformation of solid into gas is called the latent heat of sublimation. For example, it is 2,838 kJ/kg for ice at 0°C.
The quantity of energy that is needed to change the state of one kilogram of material is the specific latent heat of the material.
The specific latent heat is mathematically expressed as,
$\mathrm{L=\frac{Q}{M}}$
Q denotes the energy absorbed or emitted by the material
M denotes the mass of the substance.
When thermal energy is applied to the water then the temperature of water increases and it attains its boiling point of 100°C and stays constant. Then more energy from the source makes the water convert into steam.
$\mathrm{The\:energy \:delivered \:to\: the \:water\: Q \:=\: power\: of \:the energy \:source\: x \:time}$
$\mathrm{Q=P\:\times\:T}$
By knowing the power of the source the energy given to water is calculated.
$\mathrm{The\:specific\:heat\:of\:water \:=\:\frac{energy\:absorbed}{Mass\:of\: water}}$
$\mathrm{L=\frac{Q}{M}}$
The material changes its state when it is heated by an external source. The temperature of the material remains constant until it changes its state. The transition of material from one state to another needs more energy.
When the water is heated, its temperature gradually increases up to 100°C. and remains constant until the whole water gets boiled. Similarly, when the water is cooled, it cools down up to 0°C and is constant until the whole water freezes. Not only for water all matter the temperature remains constant until the whole substance changes its state. because the energy must be used to change the state of the material from one form to another.
In this tutorial, the latent heat and the types of latent heat are discussed. The specific latent heat, the specific heat of the water, and the heat capacity of water are also discussed in detail.
Q1. What is the first law of thermodynamics?
Ans: When a system is given by heat that is capable of doing work, then the system absorbs some energy. This rise in temperature increases the system's internal energy and doing work due to the expansion. The heat absorbed by the system and the increased internal energy of the system is the same. The first law of thermodynamics states under the principle of the law of conservation of energy.
Q2. What is the law of conservation of energy?
Ans: Energy is a fundamental quantity that is very important for life. Energy conversion is the process of conversion of one kind of energy into another kind of energy. All forms of energy-related to motion. By the conservation of energy law, one form of energy can be transformed into another form and the energy cannot be destroyed or formed. In other ways, it can also be stated that if the system is isolated then the total energy of the system remains constant and does not change.
Q3. What are the advantages of the specific latent heat capacity of steam?
Ans: Generally steam has a high specific latent heat capacity. The main advantages are
In cold countries, to heat, the room radiators are fixed in the room. As the steam has a high specific latent heat capacity, they are generated in the boiler and passed through the tubes in the radiator to heat the room.
For the conversion of the chemical energy of coal into electrical energy in thermal power stations, steam is used as a medium. Because 1g of steam gives around 2260 J of energy.
Q4. Give some examples for latent heat?
Ans: It is the energy absorbed or released during the phase transition. Some of the examples are given below.
Latent heat strengthens the Hurricane. The air which passes over the warm water gets warmer and rises. And they hold the water vapor. Then clouds are formed from the water vapor as they emit latent heat.
As the water has high latent heat fusion they freeze faster than the liquid oxygen. The latent heat of the fusion of water is applied in refrigerators to convert water into ice.
Q5. What is the difference between specific and latent heat?
Ans: The amount of heat energy that is required to increase the temperature of the material to a small amount is specific heat. But the amount of heat energy that is radiated during the phase transition is the latent heat.
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