Question

Conversion of solid-state to a liquid state is called fusion. What is meant by the latent heat of fusion?

Answer 1

Latent heat of fusion

• Latent means hidden
• Thus it is a form of hidden form of heat contained in a substance.
• The amount of heat energy required to change a kg of a solid into liquid at atmospheric pressure at its melting point is known as the latent heat of fusion.
• It is also known as enthalpy of fusion, which is the amount of energy in the form of heat that must be supplied to a solid substance.
• When the pressure of the environment is kept constant a change is triggered in the substance that results in a change of physical state i.e to turn into the liquid state.

Thus latent heat of fusion is hidden heat required to convert one kg of solid to liquid state