Question

Define latent heat of fusion and illustrate with a suitable example.

Answer 1

Latent heat is the heat energy required to overcome the forces of attraction between the particles of a substance during the change of state. It is of two types:

1. Latent heat of fusion
2. Latent heat of vaporisation

Latent heat of fusion: The amount heat energy required to change a solid into a liquid state is called the latent heat of fusion. Latent heat of fusion of ice is 334kJ/Kg. This means 334 kJ of heat energy is required to convert 1 kg of ice into 1kg of water at 0$°$C.