LATENT HEAT Definition & Meaning

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latent heat

noun

Physics.

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

latent heat

noun

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

/ ��′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

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 .

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�y��vlog History and Origins

Origin of latent heat¹

First recorded in 1750–60

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Snow that has fallen, or ice that has formed on surfaces, can often melt in the sun or form latent heat from the surface.

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That can release an enormous amount of latent heat into the atmosphere, and through that action, it can influence storm tracks and whether they hit California.

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Recent studies agree with physical common sense: rapid intensification becomes increasingly likely as oceans warm, evaporating more water and delivering more latent heat to the atmosphere.

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Was Watt familiar with the concept of latent heat when he devised his new engine, and did the new theory inform his new technology?

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Both spoke about the possibility of repurposing some wells to tap into geothermal energy, the latent heat beneath the earth's surface, to generate electricity.

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