Heat of vaporization conceptual problem

In summary, when solving physics problems involving heat of vaporization, you will need to use the formula Q=mcΔT for changes in temperature and Q=mLv for phase transitions at constant temperature. Typically, problems will ask for calculations between two temperatures with a phase transition in between. Therefore, you will need to calculate the heat in the liquid phase, then the latent heat of vaporization, and finally the heat in the gas phase. In short, use the mLv formula for phase changes.
  • #1
Natjack
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When I'm doing the Physics homework the problem for heat of vaporization uses Q=mcΔT and Q=mLv. How do I know when to use which equation through out the problem?
 
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  • #2
The first formula is related to a change in temperature (hence the presence of ##\Delta T##), when a single phase is heated, while the second is related to the phase transition at constant temperature.
 
  • #3
So I use that one just when the temperature has changed?
 
  • #4
Problems usually ask to make calculations going from ##T_1## to ##T_2##, with a phase transition somewhere in there, ##T_1 < T_t < T_2##. You then need to calculate for instance the heat in the liquid phase from ##T_1## to ##T_t##, then the latent heat of vaporization, then heat in the gas phase from ##T_t## to ##T_2##.
 
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Likes Chestermiller
  • #5
so use the mLv for phase changes?
 
  • #6
Natjack said:
so use the mLv for phase changes?
Yes.
 
  • #7
Thank you so much for your help
 

1. What is the heat of vaporization?

The heat of vaporization is the amount of energy required to change a substance from its liquid state to its gaseous state at a constant temperature and pressure.

2. What factors affect the heat of vaporization?

The heat of vaporization is affected by the type of substance, its temperature, and the pressure exerted on it. Generally, substances with stronger intermolecular forces will have a higher heat of vaporization, and higher temperatures and pressures will also increase the heat of vaporization.

3. How is the heat of vaporization measured?

The heat of vaporization is typically measured in units of energy per amount of substance, such as joules per mole or calories per gram. It can be experimentally determined by measuring the temperature change when a known amount of substance is vaporized at a constant pressure.

4. What is the significance of the heat of vaporization?

The heat of vaporization is important in many industrial and everyday processes, such as boiling water for cooking, distilling alcohol, and producing steam for power generation. It also plays a role in the Earth's water cycle, as water evaporates from bodies of water and later condenses to form precipitation.

5. Can the heat of vaporization be negative?

No, the heat of vaporization is always a positive value because it represents the energy required to overcome the attractive forces between molecules and change the substance from a liquid to a gas.

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