Question

How does the latent heat of fusion of water help slow the decrease of air temperatures, perhaps preventing temperatures from falling significantly below 0°C, in the vicinity of large bodies of water?

Short answer

The latent heat of the fusion of water increases air temperatures by releasing a large amount of energy.

Step-by-step solution

Describe latent heat of fusion

The latent heat of the fusion of water is the measure of heat required for the water to transform into ice. It directly depends on the energy required for phase transformation. It is mathematically expressed as;

\({\rm{Q = m}}{{\rm{L}}_{\rm{f}}}\)

Here,

\(\begin{array}{l}{\rm{m = mass of the substance}}\\{{\rm{L}}_{\rm{f}}}{\rm{ = Latent heat of fusion}}\end{array}\)

So, the latent heat of fusion or vaporization can increase the heat.

Describe how latent heat of fusion of water helps to increase the temperature.

The latent heat of fusion of water releases a large amount of energy during the phase change. As heat increases with the latent of fusion, particles attain more energy and this leads to an increase in the temperature. Because energy is directly proportional to temperature.

So, the latent heat of fusion of water prevents the drop in temperature below by releasing a large amount of energy.