What other forms of energy does latent heat convert to during a phase change?

[Elsa1234]

The kinetic theory says that temperature is the measure of the average kinetic energy. That would mean then : The temperature rises with the rise in kinetic energy. We know that when matter changes state 'latent heat' helps in 'breaking the bonds' at the transition phase and that this 'extra heat' is not noticed on a thermometer. But energy can neither be made nor destroyed. Taking that into consideration latent heat has to convert into some form of energy. Since temperature is not rising, it's not kinetic energy it's getting converted to. What energy does it get converted to? Note: I already know why the temperature does not change. What I want to know is what the latent heat energy gets converted to.

 

[BvU]

Hello,

It is correct that in a phase transition energy has to be supplied to a system in the case of evaporation (or removed in the case of condensation) at a given pressure to maintain the temperature.

 

[Ygggdrasil]

What other forms of energy do you know about? In a phase change (say, going from liquid water to water vapor), how do the two phases differ from each other?