The discussion clarifies the distinction between latent heat and specific heat capacity, emphasizing that latent heat refers to the heat required for a phase change, while specific heat capacity pertains to temperature changes within a phase. The consensus among participants is that the correct answer to the professor's question is C, latent heat, as it specifically addresses phase transitions. Additionally, the term "specific latent heat" is highlighted as the more precise terminology when discussing heat per unit mass during phase changes.
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Jbreezy said:What is AFAIK?
I think I might challenge him on his grading of this question. I need to be sure though. Thanks for reply;s
I feel this question is ambiguous.
C). Latent HeatHeat capacity (usually denoted by a capital C, often with subscripts), or thermal capacity, is the measurable physical quantity that shows the amount of heat required to change the temperature of an object or body by a given amount.
Derived quantities that specify heat capacity as an intensive property, i.e., independent of the size of the body or amount of a sample, are the molar heat capacity, which is the heat capacity per mole of a pure substance, and the specific heat capacity, often simply called specific heat, which is the heat capacity per unit mass of a material. .
Latent heat is the heat released or absorbed by a body or a thermodynamic system during a constant-temperature process. A typical example is a change of state of matter, meaning a phase transition such as the melting of ice or the boiling of water.
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A specific latent heat (L) expresses the amount of energy in the form of heat (Q) required to completely effect a phase change of a unit of mass (m), usually 1kg, of a substance as an intensive property: