Specific heat capacity and specific latent heat (14.3)

What is specific heat capacity?

Specific heat capacity - the amount of energy required to raise the temperature of a substance by a unit of temperature per unit mass

q = mcΔT

Where q is thermal energy transferred to the substance (J)

Where m is the mass of the substance (kg)

Where c is the specific heat capacity of the substance

Where ΔT is the temperature change of the substance (K)

What is specific latent heat?

Specific latent heat - the energy required to change the state of a substance without changing its temperature per unit mass

q = mL

Where q is thermal energy transferred to the substance (J)

Where m is the mass of the substance (kg)

Where L is the specific latent heat (Jkg^-1)

What is the difference between specific latent heat of fusion and specific latent heat of vaporisation?

Specific latent heat of fusion refers to the specific latent heat when a substance goes from a solid to liquid

Specific latent heat of fusion refers to the specific latent heat when a substance goes from a liquid to gas

Is specific latent heat of fusion or specific latent heat of vaporisation bigger?

Specific latent heat of vaporisation is greater since when evaporating there is a greater change in separation of the particles, so there is a greater change in volume so work done is more negative so more work has to be done by the system so more energy needs to be supplied to the substance.