latent
Existing but not yet developed, manifest, or active; in physics, describing heat absorbed or released during a phase change (like melting or boiling) without changing the temperature.
In general English, latent means hidden or dormant (like latent talent). In thermodynamics, 'latent heat' is the 'hidden' energy required to change a substance's state (solid to liquid, liquid to gas) without altering its actual temperature.
Word relationships
- dormant: Dormant implies a temporary state of inactivity or sleep, whereas latent emphasizes that the quality or energy is hidden or unexpressed but fully present.
- manifest: Manifest means clearly apparent, active, or visible, which is the direct opposite of latent.
Commonly confused with
- sensible: In thermodynamics, sensible heat is heat that causes a measurable change in temperature, while latent heat is 'hidden' heat that only changes the physical state of a substance.
Word family
- latency (noun): The state of being latent or dormant.
- latently (adverb): In a latent or hidden manner.
Collocations
- latent heat
- latent energy
- latent heat of fusion
- latent heat of vaporization
Example sentences
- "The release of latent heat during the condensation of water vapor is the primary fuel source for hurricanes." Meteorological explanation of storm energy
- "This I call latent heat, to distinguish it from the heat which is sensible to the thermometer." Classic scientific text on heat (Lectures on the Elements of Chemistry by Joseph Black (1803))
Memory hook
Think of 'late'—the heat is 'late' to show up on the thermometer because it is busy melting the ice first. Hidden energy during a change.
When not to use
Do not use 'latent heat' to describe heat that causes a direct, measurable change in temperature (which is called 'sensible heat').
Fun facts
- It takes about 80 times more energy to melt one gram of ice at 0°C into water at 0°C (latent heat) than it does to raise the temperature of that same liquid water by 1°C (sensible heat).
Related words
Explore more words
latency, capability, nascent, incubation, Potential, carrier
Also appears in
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