Askiitians Tutor Team
Last Activity: 5 Months ago
The latent heat of fusion is a fascinating concept in thermodynamics, referring to the amount of heat energy required to change a substance from solid to liquid at its melting point without changing its temperature. For ice, this value in the cgs (centimeter-gram-second) system is 80 cal/g. To convert this value into the SI (International System of Units) system, we need to use the conversion factor between calories and joules.
Conversion Process
We know that:
- 1 calorie (cal) = 4.2 joules (J)
- Latent heat of fusion of ice = 80 cal/g
Step-by-Step Calculation
To find the latent heat of fusion in joules per gram, we can follow these steps:
- Start with the value in calories: 80 cal/g.
- Multiply this value by the conversion factor to convert calories to joules:
So, the calculation looks like this:
Latent heat of fusion in J/g = 80 cal/g × 4.2 J/cal
Now, performing the multiplication:
Latent heat of fusion in J/g = 336 J/g
Final Result
Thus, the latent heat of fusion of ice in the SI system is 336 J/g. This means that to melt 1 gram of ice at 0 degrees Celsius, you need to supply 336 joules of energy. This concept is crucial in various fields, including meteorology, cooking, and even climate science, as it helps us understand energy transfer during phase changes.
Real-World Application
Consider how this principle applies in everyday life. When you take ice out of the freezer and leave it at room temperature, it absorbs heat from the surrounding air. This heat energy is used to break the bonds holding the ice molecules together, allowing them to transition into liquid water without a temperature change until all the ice has melted. Understanding latent heat helps us appreciate the energy dynamics involved in such common processes.