Specific heat capacity and latent heat

The idea

Internal energy is the total kinetic and potential energy of the particles in a system. Heating raises the temperature or changes the state. Specific heat capacity is the energy needed to raise the temperature of 1 kg by 1 °C: ΔE = mcΔθ. Specific latent heat is the energy needed to change the state of 1 kg with no change in temperature: E = mL. Latent heat of fusion is for melting; of vaporisation is for boiling.

1. Is the temperature changing? Use ΔE = mcΔθ.
2. Is the state changing? Use E = mL.
3. Use kg, J/kg °C and J/kg.

Watch out During a change of state the temperature stays the same: energy is taken in when melting or boiling and released when freezing or condensing.