Final answer:
The latent heat of vaporization is the amount of heat required to convert a unit mass of a liquid into a vapor without a change in temperature. It is a characteristic property of a substance and is different for different substances. This process is important in many practical applications, such as cooking. The correct answer is option A. the temperature at which a substance turns to steam.
Step-by-step explanation:
The latent heat of vaporization is the amount of heat required to convert a unit mass of a liquid into a vapor without a change in temperature. This means that when a liquid is heated to its boiling point, the added heat energy is used to change the liquid into a gas, rather than increase the temperature. For example, the latent heat of vaporization of water is 2260 joules per gram. This means that 2260 joules of heat energy is required to convert 1 gram of water into steam at 100 degrees Celsius.
When a liquid is heated to its boiling point, it changes from a liquid to a gas through the process of vaporization. During vaporization, the heat energy is used to break the intermolecular bonds holding the liquid molecules together, allowing the molecules to escape into the gaseous phase. The process of vaporization requires a significant amount of heat energy because it involves overcoming the cohesive forces between the liquid molecules.
In summary, the latent heat of vaporization is the amount of heat required to convert a unit mass of a liquid into a vapor without a change in temperature. It is a characteristic property of a substance and is different for different substances. The latent heat of vaporization is important in many practical applications, such as cooking, where the heat energy is used to convert liquid water into steam to cook food.