Get ready for the NCEA Level 1 Energy Test. Utilize flashcards and multiple choice questions with clear explanations and hints. Prepare for success!

Multiple Choice

What does the symbol L stand for in physics?

Latent heat is the energy absorbed or released when a substance changes phase at a constant temperature. The symbol L is used to denote this energy (or the specific latent heat per unit mass). The amount of energy needed for a phase change is given by energy = mass × L. For example, melting ice at 0°C requires the latent heat of fusion, about 334 kJ per kilogram, while vaporizing water requires the latent heat of vaporization, about 2260 kJ per kilogram. This energy changes the internal structure during a phase change without changing the temperature, until the change is complete. It’s not voltage, temperature, or power, which have their own symbols and meanings.

Latent heat is the energy absorbed or released when a substance changes phase at a constant temperature. The symbol L is used to denote this energy (or the specific latent heat per unit mass). The amount of energy needed for a phase change is given by energy = mass × L. For example, melting ice at 0°C requires the latent heat of fusion, about 334 kJ per kilogram, while vaporizing water requires the latent heat of vaporization, about 2260 kJ per kilogram. This energy changes the internal structure during a phase change without changing the temperature, until the change is complete. It’s not voltage, temperature, or power, which have their own symbols and meanings.