Phase change refers to the process where a substance changes from one state of matter to another. This occurs when energy, in the form of heat, is added or removed. The most common phase changes include melting, freezing, condensation, vaporization, sublimation, and deposition.
During these transformations:
- Vaporization (boiling): This is when a liquid turns into a gas. It requires heat, known as the latent heat of vaporization. For water at 100°C, approximately 2.26×106 J of energy per kg is needed.
- Condensation: In this process, a gas changes back into a liquid. It releases heat equivalent to the latent heat of vaporization because energy is freed back into the system.
In the exercise, the phase change of water involves boiling and condensation. The latent heat is the same for both processes, highlighting the conservation of energy, since what is absorbed during boiling is released during condensation.