Understanding the Constant Temperature of Phase Transitions

Thread starter Tulatalu
Start date Jan 18, 2015
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Temperature

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The temperature of boiling or melting water remains constant during phase transitions because any additional energy supplied is used to facilitate the transition rather than increase temperature. This energy requirement is due to the latent heat associated with changing states, such as from solid to liquid or liquid to gas. During these processes, the energy input is absorbed to break intermolecular bonds rather than raise the temperature. Understanding latent heat is crucial to grasping why temperature stability occurs during these transitions. This principle is fundamental in thermodynamics and explains the behavior of substances at their melting and boiling points.

Jan 18, 2015

Tulatalu

Why does the temperature of boiling or melting water remain constant?

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Jan 18, 2015

DrClaude

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You mean during the phase transition? Because all additional energy furnished to the system goes to producing the phase transition. A substance requires energy to go from solid to liquid or from liquid to gas. Look up latent heat.

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