Here's a painful truth: getting scalded by steam at 100°C causes FAR worse burns than boiling water at 100°C. Same temperature — so why the difference? Because steam carries "hidden" energy — the energy that was needed to turn water into steam. When steam touches your skin and condenses back to water, all that hidden energy DUMPS into you. The word "latent" literally means "hidden" — it's energy stored in the state change itself, invisible to thermometers!
Specific Latent Heat Equation (ON FORMULA SHEET)
E = m × L
Energy (J) = mass (kg) × specific latent heat (J/kg)
This introduction covers Why Steam Burns Worse Than Boiling Water 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 1 of 12 in this topic. Use this introduction to connect the idea to the wider topic before moving on to questions and flashcards.
Practice questions for Specific Latent Heat
What is specific latent heat?
During a state change, energy is being supplied to a substance but the temperature does not change. Explain where this energy goes.
Quick recall flashcards
Latent heat equation
E = mL
What is latent heat?
Energy needed to change state without changing temperature. 'Latent' = hidden.