latent heat

noun, Physics.
1.
heat absorbed or radiated during a change of phase at constant temperature and pressure.
Compare heat of fusion, heat of vaporization.
Origin
1750-60
Examples from the web for latent heat
  • The latent heat used up for evaporation is given back during condensation and the energy consumed is quite small.
  • The remaining latent heat keeping the roads from freezing radiates into space.
  • Ocean evaporation estimates are calculated from satellite data that looks at latent heat fluxes.
  • The latent heat of melting will soak up a lot of energy that would otherwise have caused warming.
  • There are losses each time, amongst them, you do not recover the latent heat of water expelled as steam.
  • Rising air cools and eventually condenses in the form of cloud droplets, releasing latent heat in the process.
  • The release of latent heat from water supplies storm energy.
  • Once water begins to condense into dew and fog, it releases latent heat, which slows the cooling of the air significantly.
  • These are all necessary to facilitate the exact degree of latent heat required to convert the opium into vapor.
  • latent heat storage uses a phase change material as a storage medium.
British Dictionary definitions for latent heat

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 in Science
latent heat
  (lāt'nt)   
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. See also heat capacity.
latent heat in Culture

latent heat definition


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.