Physics GCSE
latent heat
What latent heat means in Physics GCSE, as defined for AQA, OCR.
Definitions of latent heat
Exam boards and our study guides word this term in slightly different ways. Learn the version your board uses.
Check what you remember
Read the wording for your board, then hide it and explain latent heat in your own words. Rough notes are fine. This is a self-check, with no mark or grade.
Reference: OCR
What melting or boiling needs instead of the equation, which applies only while the substance stays in one state.
The energy needed for a substance to change state.
Topics that use latent heat
- Changes of state and specific latent heat (AQA GCSE)
- Changes of state (OCR GCSE)
Related terms
- specific heat capacity
- Specific latent heat
- Change in temperature
- change of state
- Changes of state
- E = m L
- Energy, mass and specific latent heat relationship
- heating graph sections
Using latent heat in the exam
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