Application of specific Application of specific latent heat in everyday latent heat in everyday

life.life.

Application of specific Application of specific latent heat in everyday latent heat in everyday

life.life.

4.3 Understanding 4.3 Understanding Specific Latent Specific Latent

Heat. Heat.

Water is an important substance in our daily life which can be used in various applications which require it to be in the state of a solid, liquid, or gas.

solid

liquid

gas

fusion

vaporisation

Heat absorb

ed

Heat absorb

ed

Suppose you want to drink cool water on a hot day, but you only have some hot water.

Cooling drink by adding in some ice cubes.

When the ice is melting, a large amount of specific latent heat is absorbed and this lowers the temperature of the drink.

Ice cubes

This property makes ice a suitable substance to be used as a cooling

agent and to keep other substances cold.

Ice cubes

Fresh produce for sale such as fish is kept cold by placing pieces of ice among them.

Heat equivalent to the latent heat of ice is absorbed when the ice melts, thus maintaining the fish at a low temperature.

The latent heat released when the steam condenses on the surface of the food enables food to be cooked quickly.

Steaming food. This property enables food such as fish, bun, egg and others to be steamed.

Putting a lot of water in the pot can keep the food boiling for a long time.

steam

water

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steam

Extinguishing fire by using water.

Water that is quickly boiled will become steam which is able to absorb a larger quantity of latent heat from the fire.

water

Steam at 100°C will cause an injury on skin much more serious than water at 100°C.

steam

• The specific latent heat of fusion of a substances is usually smaller than the specific latent heat of vaporisation.

• This is due to the extra work done against atmospheric pressure during change of phase from liquid to gas.