latent heat

noun

, Physics.

1. heat absorbed or radiated during a change of phase at constant temperature and pressure.

latent heat

noun

1. no longer in technical usage the heat evolved or absorbed by unit mass ( specific latent heat ) or unit amount of substance ( molar latent heat ) when it changes phase without change of temperature

latent heat

/ lāt′nt /

1. The quantity of heat absorbed or released by a substance undergoing a change of state, such as ice changing to liquid water or liquid water changing to ice, at constant temperature and pressure. The latent heat absorbed by air when water vapor condenses is ultimately the source of the power of thunderstorms and hurricanes.
2. See also heat capacity

latent heat

1. The heat released or absorbed when matter undergoes a change of phase ( see phases of matter ). If the heat is given off during the change from a liquid to a solid , it is called heat of fusion . If it is given off during the change from a gas to a liquid, it is called heat of vaporization .

Word History and Origins

Origin of latent heat¹

First recorded in 1750–60

Example Sentences

Green spaces and cool colors in a city turn more sensible heat into latent heat, Martilli and his colleagues find.

From Science News For Students

Plants trap sensible heat and turn it into latent heat — the energy that turns liquid water into water vapor.

From Science News For Students

That high-pressure engines owed their advantages mainly to a reduction of the relative importance of this latent heat.

From Project Gutenberg

In descending it is recondensed, and by the process by which its atoms are brought together its latent heat is made sensible.

From Project Gutenberg

Dr. Blacks discovery of latent heat, however, has afforded a very easy and natural explication of this phenomenon.

From Project Gutenberg

Cavendish knew of the suggestion, but in his experiments refuted the idea that the hydrogen lost any of its latent heat.

From Project Gutenberg

Because of the liberation of the latent heat from the precipitated vapour.

From Project Gutenberg