Which of the following describes latent heat?

Latent heat refers specifically to the amount of energy absorbed or released by a substance during a phase change, such as melting, freezing, evaporation, or condensation, without a change in temperature. During these phase changes, the energy input goes into altering the molecular structure of the substance rather than increasing its temperature.

For instance, when ice melts to become water, it absorbs a significant amount of heat energy known as the latent heat of fusion, without raising its temperature. Conversely, when water vapor condenses into liquid water, it releases latent heat. This property is crucial in various applications, such as in HVAC systems, weather phenomena, and even in gas turbine operations, where understanding heat transfer during phase changes can impact performance and efficiency.

Thus, describing latent heat as the energy required for phase change is accurate, as it highlights the unique aspect of energy transfer that occurs during such transformations.