Particle ModelTopic Summary
Topic Summary: Specific Latent Heat
Part of Specific Latent Heat — GCSE Physics
This topic summary covers Topic Summary: Specific Latent Heat within Specific Latent Heat for GCSE Physics. Revise Specific Latent Heat in Particle Model for GCSE Physics with 13 exam-style questions and 30 flashcards. This is a high-frequency topic, so it is worth revising until the explanation feels precise and repeatable. It is section 12 of 12 in this topic. Use this topic summary to connect the idea to the wider topic before moving on to questions and flashcards.
Topic position
Section 12 of 12
Practice
13 questions
Recall
30 flashcards
Topic Summary: Specific Latent Heat
Key Terms
- Specific latent heat (L): energy per kg for state change at constant temperature
- Fusion (Lf): solid ↔ liquid; for water = 334,000 J/kg
- Vaporisation (Lv): liquid ↔ gas; for water = 2,260,000 J/kg
- Latent: "hidden" — temperature does not change
Key Facts
- Temperature stays CONSTANT during state changes
- Energy goes into potential energy (bond breaking), not kinetic energy
- Lv > Lf because vaporisation fully breaks all bonds
- Steam burns release latent heat AND then cool — more damaging than boiling water
Key Equations
- E = mL (state change at constant temperature)
- E = mcΔT (temperature change within a state)
- L units: J/kg
- E in J, m in kg
Exam Tips
- Use E = mL for flat sections of heating curve
- Use E = mcΔT for sloped sections
- Always state temperature constant during latent heat
- Link bond-breaking to potential energy increase