Which term describes the amount of energy that can lead to a change in phase?

The term that accurately describes the amount of energy required to induce a change in phase of a substance, such as from solid to liquid or liquid to gas, is latent energy. This energy is not associated with temperature change but rather with the potential energy stored in the bonds of the molecules, enabling the phase transition to occur.

For example, when ice melts to become water, it absorbs latent heat without increasing in temperature until the entire ice mass has transitioned to water. This is crucial in drying processes as understanding latent energy helps professionals manage moisture effectively by recognizing the energy required to move water from one state to another.

Specific heat refers to the amount of energy needed to raise the temperature of a given mass of a substance by one degree Celsius, which is not directly related to phase changes. Kinetic energy relates to the movement of particles and their velocity, while thermal energy encompasses the internal energy of a substance due to the motion of its particles, including both potential and kinetic energy but doesn’t specifically pertain to phase changes itself. Thus, the understanding of latent energy is essential for applying drying techniques effectively.