What Happens to Kinetic Energy During Latent Heat of Fusion?

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

During the latent heat of fusion, the temperature of a substance remains constant while it transitions from solid to liquid. This process involves an increase in potential energy (p.e.) as the ordered structure of the solid breaks down into a disordered liquid phase, despite the average kinetic energy (k.e.) of the molecules remaining unchanged. The internal energy does not decrease during this phase change; instead, the energy supplied as latent heat is utilized to overcome intermolecular forces, facilitating the transition without a temperature increase. This phenomenon is crucial for understanding phase changes in thermodynamics.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of latent heat and phase changes
  • Familiarity with kinetic and potential energy concepts
  • Basic knowledge of thermodynamics principles
  • Ability to interpret molecular behavior during phase transitions
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the concept of latent heat in detail, focusing on its role in phase transitions
  • Learn about the relationship between temperature, kinetic energy, and potential energy in thermodynamics
  • Explore the implications of intermolecular forces during phase changes
  • Investigate the mathematical models describing energy changes during phase transitions
USEFUL FOR

Students studying thermodynamics, physics educators, and anyone interested in the principles of energy transfer during phase changes.

ghazni
Messages
2
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement


dear all
i really have a foolish question to u all.
heat=i.e+p[tex]\Delta[/tex]v.
now during latent heat of fusion what happens?
I mean at that point no temperature is increasd.but molecules gain rotational and translational energy as solid turns to liquid..how it is possible,please explain me in details.what happens to internal energy,as I know i.e=k.e+p.e.potential energy decreases as distance between them increases,but at melting point k.e cannot increase as temp. remain constant,but then again internal energy cannot also decrease duroing m.p.i m in atotally confused state.pls help….


Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution

 
Last edited by a moderator:
Physics news on Phys.org
During the heating, the latent heat increases the p.e. on changing from ordered to disordered phase while keeping the same average molecular k.e. and Does a small amount of external work
 
During the heating, the latent heat increases the p.e. on changing from ordered to disordered phase while keeping the same average molecular k.e. and Does a small amount of external work

i got everything of u.but frm basic physics p.e=GMm/r.when intramoleculas space increases how p.e increases?
 

Similar threads

Replies
1
Views
1K
Replies
4
Views
3K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
4K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Replies
1
Views
3K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
6K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
2K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
4K