9.

3 (b) Specific Latent Heat of Fusion

Specific Latent Heat of Fusion

The specific latent heat of fusion Lf of substance is the amount of energy

required to change one kilogram of solid (ice) to a liquid without change
in temperature.

The amount of energy needed to melt one kilogram of solid to

liquid without changing the temperature is called specific latent
heat of fusion.

The energy needed depends upon three factors the mass of the material
changing state the change of state the material.

The greater the mass of the material the bigger the amount of energy
needed.
Q ∝m

This proportionality can be changed into equality by multiplying by a

constant (Lf).
Q=m Lf

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SAT-2 Physics/IB Diploma © Raza Kayani 2015-2021
  Q - the amount of energy delivered.
 m - the amount of material changing from a solid to a liquid.
 Lf - the latent heat of fusion

The value of the constant depends upon the type of the material.

REASON FOR NO CHANGE IN TEMPERATURE

 The latent heat of fusion is the energy used up in overcoming

intermolecular forces and separates the molecules during melting.

 The absorbed energy causes the molecules to move further apart,

increasing the potential energy.

 The kinetic energy of the molecules does not change during

melting, so the temperature stays the same.

Test Yourself

Problem Solving

1. An ice lollipop has a mass of 150 g. If the specific latent heat of

fusion of ice is 330,000 J/kg, calculate the heat energy needed to
melt the ice lollipop.

Multiple choice questions

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SAT-2 Physics/IB Diploma © Raza Kayani 2015-2021
1. The latent heat of fusion of a substance is the ......

A. amount of energy needed to melt 1Kg of a substance

B. energy it takes to boil
C. energy it takes to transform a liquid to a gas
D. energy it takes for particles to remain in the same phase

2. What is the definition of specific heat of fusion? 

A. heat needed to change a solid to a liquid at ΔT = 0.

B. Making fusion from heat.
C. Another word for melting.
D. heat needed to change a liquid to a gas.

3. What is the specific latent heat of fusion?

A. Change of state from solid to gas

B. Change of state from liquid to gas
C. Change of state from solid to liquid without a change in temperature
D. Change of state from vapour to liquid

4. To calculate the specific latent heat of fusion, we use

A. m = Q/L
B. Lf = Q/m
C. Q = vL
D. Q = PL

5. Which of the following describes a substance in which the temperature and

pressure remain constant while the substance experiences an inward transfer of
energy?

a. gas
b. liquid
c. solid
d. substance undergoing a change of state

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SAT-2 Physics/IB Diploma © Raza Kayani 2015-2021