Wiki Schools
Subject: Physics
Topic Title: Measurement of Thermal Energy
Topic Code: MTE031
Sub-topic: Boiling and Evaporation & Latent Heat
Instructor: Sir Wycliffe Phinus Tuarira
Boiling and Evaporation
When a liquid is heated its molecules gain kinetic energy. The molecule at the surface of the liquid
with more kinetic energy move faster and are able to overcome the intermolecular forces holding
them together and hence escape. At boiling point, heat supplied is used to change the water from
liquid to vapour state. It does not raise the temperature.
Evaporation on the other hand is the process through which a liquid changes to vapour (gas) at
temperature even below its boiling point. Evaporation takes places at all temperatures even below
a boiling point.
Differences between boiling and evaporation
Basic Boiling Evaporation
comparison
Meaning Is vapourisation process where liquid Is a process for which liquid
changes into gas system when heated. changes its form into has even
without heating.
Temperature Occurs at a definite temperature which is Occurs at a temperature even
the boiling point. below the boiling point.
Occurrence Occurs throughout the liquid with the Occurs at the surface of the
formation of the bubbles. liquid only and no bubbles are
formed.
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Temperature Has no cooling effect (temperature Has no cooling effect
effect to the remain constant) (temperature decreases)
liquid
Occurring time Takes place rapidly Takes place slowly
Latent Heat
We have seen that, objects change their states when heated or cooled. Phase change may be from
solid to liquid or liquid to vapour and vice versa. As an object changes its phase, some heat is
released or absorbed. The heat required to convert a given mass of substance from one state to
another is termed as the latent heat, means concealed or hidden heat. Latent heat is the amount of
energy required to change a mass of substance from one state to another at a constant temperature
and pressure while specific latent heat is the amount of heat required to change 1 kg mass of an
object from one state to another at a constant temperature and pressure.
𝐻𝑒𝑎𝑡 (𝑄)
𝐿𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝐻𝑒𝑎𝑡 (𝐿) =
𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠 (𝑚)
Therefore,
𝑄 = 𝑚𝐿
Whereby L is the specific latent heat. When the mass of an object is changing then;
𝑄
𝐿=
∆𝑚
The SI unit of Specific latent heat is J/kg.
According to the kinetic theory of matter, when a solid object is heated, its temperature increases.
As the temperature increases, it reaches a point where an object melts. At the melting point, the
temperature of the object does not change even though it absorbs heat. Heat is absorbed by a solid
during melting and equal amount of thermal energy is liberated by the liquid this change of state
is called latent heat of fusion. Latent heat of fusion is the amount of heat required to change an
object from solid to liquid or liquid to solid state at a constant temperature and pressure, and on
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other hand Specific latent heat of fusion is the amount of heat required to change a 1 kg mass of
an object from solid to liquid or liquid to solid state at a constant temperature and pressure.
That’s;
𝑄 = 𝑚𝐿𝑓
Whereby, Lf is the specific latent heat of fusion. The specific latent heat of fusion of ice is 3.34 x
105 J/kg.
Similarly, for a liquid to change to a gas, energy must be absorbed by the liquid during
vapourisation or condensation. The heat supplied at this point does not go towards increasing the
temperature of the liquid. Instead, the energy is used to overcome the molecular forces of attraction
between the particles of the liquid and bring them to a vapour state. Latent heat of vapourisation
is the amount of heat required to change an object from liquid to vapour or vapour to liquid state
at a constant temperature and pressure and on the other hand Specific latent heat of vapourisation
is the amount of heat required to change a 1 kg mass of an object from liquid to vapour or vapour
to liquid state at a constant temperature and pressure.
That’s;
𝑄 = 𝑚𝐿𝑣
Whereby, Lv is the specific latent heat of vapourisation. The specific latent heat of vapourisation
of water is 2.27 x 106 J/kg.
Example 1
How much heat is required to raise the temperature of 1.5 kg of ice at -100C to steam at 1200C?
Given the specific heat capacities of ice, water and steam are; 2144 J/kg0C, 4186 J/kg0C and 2010
J/kg0C respectively. Specific latent heat of fusion of ice and vapourisation of steam are 3.35 x 105
J/kg and 2.27 x 106 J/kg.
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Try these questions.
1. How much heat is required to raise the temperature of 2 kg of ice at -200C to steam at
1500C? Given the specific heat capacities of ice, water and steam are; 2144 J/kg0C, 4186
J/kg0C and 2010 J/kg0C respectively. Specific latent heat of fusion of ice and vapourisation
of steam are 3.35 x 105 J/kg and 2.27 x 106 J/kg.
2. How much heat is required to raise the temperature of 4 kg of steam to ice? Given the
specific heat capacities of ice, water and steam are; 2144 J/kg0C, 4186 J/kg0C and 2010
J/kg0C respectively. Specific latent heat of fusion of ice and vapourisation of steam are
3.35 x 105 J/kg and 2.27 x 106 J/kg.
Tel: 0683 856 615 Address: P.O BOX 149 MBEYA (C) E-mail: wikischools2025@[Link] Wiki Schools © 2026