Specific Latent Heat

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 The specific latent heat of a substance is the quantity

of energy required to change 1 kg of the substance
from one phase to another at a constant
temperature
 The equation Eʜ = ml can be used to calculate the

specific latent heat (l) of the substance

 Specific Latent Heat of Fusion of Ice
 To determine the specific latent heat of fusion of ice
 Find the mass of a clean, dry polystyrene cup with a
drinking straw (used as a stirrer)
 Half fill the cup with water that has been previously
warmed to 15⁰C above room temperature
 Determine the new mass of the cup with the water
and straw and hence determine mw the mass of the
water in the cup
 When the temperature of the water in the cup is
about 10⁰C above room temperature (this
temperature should be accurately recorded with a
thermometer, while stirring) start adding small pieces
of ice, previously dried on a tissue to remove water
 Add one piece at a time and stir until all the ice is
melted before adding another piece
 Keep repeating this until the final water temperature
is about 10⁰C below the room temperature
 Record this temperature
 Next weigh the cup with cold water to find the total
mass and thus the mass mi of ice melted
The changes taking place are:
Ice  water at 0⁰C (change of state, so temperature is constant)
Water from ice at 0⁰C  water in cup at θf⁰C
(change of temperature of water = θf⁰C)

Water initially in cup at θi⁰C  water in cup at

(where θi = initial temperature of water in cup
and θf = final temperature of water in cup)

While the ice gains heat and melts the water

and calorimeter are both losing the same
amount of heat (to melt the ice and raise the
temperature of the water formed from it)
By the Principle of Conservation of Energy:
Heat lost by water Heat gained Heat gained

originally in cup = by ice + by water

formed
from ice
mw cw (θi – θf ) = mi l + mi cw (θf - 0)

By substituting for mw, cw, θf and θi the value of l

may be found
Note:
 The ice should be dried properly with tissue
paper before placing it in the water
 When the water and calorimeter are 10⁰C
above room temperature the heat lost (mainly
by radiation) at temperatures above room
temperature is compensated for by adding
enough ice to cool the temperature down to
10⁰C below room temperature when heat is
now gained from the surroundings
 The water and ice must be stirred to achieve a
uniform temperature
 Specific Latent Heat of Vapourization
 To determine the specific latent heat of
vapourization of water
Place the heater in an insulated beaker
of water and switch on
After the water begins to boil note the
reading on the balance and immediately
start a stop-watch
As boiling continues the water
evaporates
Note the reading on the balance every
minute for the next 15 minutes
Suppose a 100W immersion heater is used
Power of heater x time = Heat supplied by
heater to water to
change it to steam
100 x (15 x 60) = ml
If 30g of water is boiled off in this time then
100 x (15 x 60) = 0.03 x l
Note:
 One possible error arising in this experiment is
that the can and water lose heat to the
surroundings
 Do not let the coil touch the sides or bottom
of the container