Sensible heat and latent heat are two forms of energy that are associated with changes in temperature and phase, respectively. The main differences between these two types of heat are:
- Definition: Sensible heat is the heat that is added or removed from a substance to change its temperature without changing its state (solid, liquid, or gas). Latent heat, on the other hand, is the heat that is added or removed from a substance to change its state without changing its temperature.
- Occurrence: Sensible heat is usually observed when there is a change in temperature of a substance due to heating or cooling. Latent heat is observed during the process of melting, freezing, evaporation, or condensation of a substance.
- Form: Sensible heat is in the form of thermal energy, while latent heat is in the form of potential energy.
- Effect on Environment: Sensible heat contributes to the temperature of the surrounding environment. Latent heat, on the other hand, does not directly contribute to the temperature of the environment but rather to the transformation of a substance from one state to another.
- Measurement: Sensible heat can be measured using a thermometer or a calorimeter. Latent heat can be measured using a calorimeter and by observing the changes in temperature and state of the substance.
- Magnitude: The amount of sensible heat required to change the temperature of a substance by a certain amount is typically much smaller than the amount of latent heat required to change the state of the same substance. For example, it takes much more heat to melt ice into water than it does to raise the temperature of water by the same amount.