What is the formula for determining the heat required in a phase change?

The formula for determining the heat required in a phase change is expressed as H = ml, where H represents the heat absorbed or released, m stands for the mass of the substance undergoing the phase change, and l denotes the latent heat, which is the amount of heat required for the phase change to occur without a change in temperature.

This formula is specifically used during transitions such as melting (solid to liquid) or vaporization (liquid to gas), where the temperature remains constant while the phase changes. The latent heat accounts for the energy that goes into breaking intermolecular bonds during these transitions, allowing the material to change states. Understanding this relationship is essential in thermodynamics and is fundamental for various applications in nursing and health sciences, such as understanding body temperature regulation and the principles of heat transfer.

Other formulas, such as H = m * C, relate to changes in temperature rather than phase changes, making them inapplicable in this context.