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Latent Heat Calculator

Calculate Phase Change Energy

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Enter values above to calculate latent heat or phase change energy

About Latent Heat & Phase Changes

Latent heat is the energy absorbed or released by a substance during a phase change (such as melting, boiling, or sublimation) at constant temperature and pressure. It is a key concept in thermodynamics and physical chemistry.

Key Concepts:

  • Latent Heat (L): Energy per unit mass required for a phase change
  • Heat Energy (Q): Total energy absorbed or released during phase change
  • Phase Change Types: Fusion (melting), Vaporization (boiling), Sublimation, Condensation, Freezing, Deposition
  • Phase Change Temperature: Temperature at which phase change occurs (e.g., melting point, boiling point)

Key Formulas:

  • Q = mL - Heat energy for phase change
  • m = Q/L - Mass from heat and latent heat
  • L = Q/m - Latent heat from heat and mass

Common Latent Heats:

  • Water (fusion): 334,000 J/kg
  • Water (vaporization): 2,260,000 J/kg
  • Ice (sublimation): 2,834,000 J/kg
  • Aluminum (fusion): 397,000 J/kg
  • Iron (fusion): 247,000 J/kg
  • Copper (fusion): 205,000 J/kg
  • Gold (fusion): 65,000 J/kg
  • Silver (fusion): 88,000 J/kg
  • Lead (fusion): 24,500 J/kg
  • Mercury (fusion): 11,400 J/kg
  • Ethanol (vaporization): 841,000 J/kg
  • Oxygen (fusion): 13,900 J/kg
  • Nitrogen (fusion): 25,700 J/kg
  • Ammonia (vaporization): 1,370,000 J/kg
  • Carbon Dioxide (sublimation): 574,000 J/kg

Units:

  • Latent Heat: J/kg, kJ/kg, cal/g
  • Heat Energy: J, kJ, cal, kcal
  • Mass: kg, g
  • Temperature: °C, K, °F

Applications:

  • Melting and freezing of ice
  • Boiling and condensation of water
  • Refrigeration and air conditioning
  • Phase change materials for energy storage
  • Industrial and chemical processes
  • Weather and climate science

Types of Latent Heat:

  • Latent Heat of Fusion: Solid ↔ Liquid
  • Latent Heat of Vaporization: Liquid ↔ Gas
  • Latent Heat of Sublimation: Solid ↔ Gas