Final answer:
To find the latent heat of steam, the heat gained by water (which is the heat lost by steam) was determined using the mass of water, its specific heat capacity, and the temperature change. This was set equal to the mass of steam multiplied by its latent heat. The latent heat of steam was calculated to be 406 cal/g.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question involves calculating the latent heat of steam based on the effect of its condensation on the temperature of water. To find the latent heat (L), we can use the following relation:
Q = m₁ × c × ΔT
Where Q is the heat gained by the water, m₁ is the mass of the water, c is the specific heat capacity of water, and ΔT is the change in temperature.
For the condensed steam:
Q = m₂ × L
m₂ is the mass of steam (2g), and L is its latent heat. We set the two equations equal to each other since the heat lost by steam is the heat gained by the water.
m₂ × L = m₁ × c × ΔT
Plugging in the values we have:
2g × L = 40g × 1 cal/g°C × (45.3°C - 25°C)
2g × L = 40g × 1 cal/g°C × 20.3°C
2g × L = 812 cal
Therefore, L = 812 cal / 2g
L = 406 cal/g
Hence, the latent heat of steam is 406 cal/g.