Latent heat is the heat energy required or released during a change in the state of a substance without changing its temperature. It is referred to as latent because it is not evident or noticeable, but it is stored within the substance.

There are two types of latent heat – latent heat of fusion and latent heat of vaporization. The latent heat of fusion is the heat energy required to change a solid substance into a liquid state. For example, when ice melts, it absorbs heat energy without any increase in its temperature. The latent heat of fusion is the energy required to break the bonds between molecules in a solid substance.

The latent heat of vaporization is the heat energy required to transform a liquid substance into a gaseous state. For instance, when water boils, it releases heat energy without any change in temperature. The latent heat of vaporization is the energy required to break the intermolecular forces of attraction between the molecules of a liquid substance.

Both the latent heat of fusion and the latent heat of vaporization are essential in regulating temperature changes in the atmosphere, oceans, and other natural processes. These processes are what helps in maintaining the earth’s climate.

To summarize, latent heat is the heat energy required or released during a change in the state of a substance without changing its temperature. It includes the latent heat of fusion, which is the heat energy required to transform a solid substance into a liquid state, and the latent heat of vaporization, which is the heat energy required to transform a liquid substance into a gaseous state.