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Lesson 7 of 7
New
New
- Year 10
- AQA
Specific latent heat (E = m L)
I can make calculations using the equation E = m × L
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Energy transferred to a solid at its melting point allows its particles to move further apart.
- Energy transferred to a liquid at its boiling point allows its particles to move fast enough to get even further apart.
- The energy transferred to melt a solid at its melting point is proportional to the mass of the solid.
- The energy transferred to melt 1 kg of a solid at its melting point is proportional to the solid’s specific latent heat.
- The energy transferred to boil 1 kg of a liquid at its boiling point is proportional to its specific latent heat.
Keywords
Melting - the change of state from a solid to a liquid; happens at a fixed temperature for pure substances
Boiling - the change of state from a liquid to a gas; happens at a fixed temperature for pure substances
Specific latent heat - the change in energy when 1 kg of a substance changes state
Specific heat capacity - the change in internal energy when the temperature of 1 kg of a substance changes by 1°C
Common misconception
The temperature of ice is always 0ºC and the temperature of water in the liquid state cannot be 0°C.
Make explicit observations that water can be in either or both of the solid and liquid states at 0°C.
Provide pupils with examples of exam questions to practise so that they become familiar with thinking about specific latent heat in a range of different contexts.
Teacher tip
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2026), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which of the following words is used to describe the change of state from a gas to a liquid?
Which of the following words is used to describe the change of state from a gas to a liquid?
evaporation
boiling
freezing
melting
Q2.Which of the following changes of state result in an increase in internal energy?
Which of the following changes of state result in an increase in internal energy?
freezing
condensing
none of these
Q3.In which state of matter are the electrostatic forces between particles the strongest?
In which state of matter are the electrostatic forces between particles the strongest?
liquid
gas
they are all equal
there are no forces in any state
Q4.A substance is heated continuously from its solid state until it is in its gas state.
Sort the following statements into the correct order to describe how the temperature of the substance changes.
A substance is heated continuously from its solid state until it is in its gas state.
Sort the following statements into the correct order to describe how the temperature of the substance changes.
Q5.A 100 g sample of pure silver has a melting point of 962°C. What is the melting point of a 50 g sample of the same material?
A 100 g sample of pure silver has a melting point of 962°C. What is the melting point of a 50 g sample of the same material?
481°C
1924°C
It is not possible to know.
Q6.Calculate the energy needed to heat 8.0 kg of vegetable oil from 20°C to 170°C if the specific heat capacity of the oil is 2000 J/kg °C.
Calculate the energy needed to heat 8.0 kg of vegetable oil from 20°C to 170°C if the specific heat capacity of the oil is 2000 J/kg °C.
2400 J
2.4 kJ
320 kJ
2.72 MJ
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match the following key words or phrases to their definition.
Match the following key words or phrases to their definition.
Q2.Which of the following statements about changes of state for a pure substance at constant pressure are correct?
Which of the following statements about changes of state for a pure substance at constant pressure are correct?
Boiling happens over a range of temperatures.
Freezing and melting happen at different temperatures.
Boiling and melting happen at the same temperature.
Q3.Why does the temperature stay constant when a substance is boiling as it is heated?
Why does the temperature stay constant when a substance is boiling as it is heated?
The average speed of the particles is decreasing.
The fastest particles slow down when they escape.
The particles are gaining mass, so their speed stays the same.
The forces between the particles are increasing.
Q4.Which of the following equations, to calculate the energy required to change state, is correct?
Which of the following equations, to calculate the energy required to change state, is correct?
energy = mass × specific heat capacity × temperature change (E = m c Δθ)
energy = mass × specific heat capacity × temperature (E = m c θ)
energy = mass ÷ specific latent heat (E = m ÷ L)
Q5.The specific latent heat of fusion for ice (melting) is 334 kJ/kg.
Calculate the energy required to melt 600 g of ice.
Give your answer in kJ to 2 significant figures.
The specific latent heat of fusion for ice (melting) is 334 kJ/kg.
Calculate the energy required to melt 600 g of ice.
Give your answer in kJ to 2 significant figures.
Q6.The specific latent heat of ice is 334 kJ/kg and its specific heat capacity is 2.11 kJ/kg °C.
Calculate the energy required to fully melt a 2.0 kg block of ice which starts at a temperature of –20°C.
The specific latent heat of ice is 334 kJ/kg and its specific heat capacity is 2.11 kJ/kg °C.
Calculate the energy required to fully melt a 2.0 kg block of ice which starts at a temperature of –20°C.
84.4 kJ
376.2 kJ
583.6 kJ
668 kJ
