# Specific Latent Heat

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Specific Latent Heat refers to the amount of heat energy required to be absorbed by 1kg of substance for it to change state completely while remaining at the same temperature.

The equation for the amount of energy is: $Q=mL$

Q is the amount of heat energy required in joules(J).
m is the mass of the substance in kilograms(kg).
L is the specific latent heat of each substance.

There are two types of latent heat: latent heat of fusion, and latent heat of vaporization.

## Latent Heat of FusionEdit

This is the amount of energy required to change 1kg of a substance to change from solid to liquid - with no change in temperature. This is also the amount of energy given out when a substance changes the other way - from liquid to solid.

## Latent heat of vaporizationEdit

This is the amount of energy required to change 1kg of a substance from liquid to gas - with no change in temperature. This is also the amount of energy given out when a substance changes the other way - from gas to liquid. This value is always much greater than the value for L.H of F. as the bonds are harder to break.