What is the specific latent heat of evaporation of water?

Correct option is B

The correct answer is option (b) 2260 kJ/kg.

Explanation

The specific latent heat of evaporation is the amount of heat required to convert 1 kg of a liquid into vapor without a change in temperature. For water, the specific latent heat of evaporation is approximately 2260 kJ/kg at 100°C. This value is crucial for understanding processes such as boiling, where water absorbs significant amounts of heat energy to change from liquid to gas.

The latent heat of evaporation is different from the latent heat of fusion (which is the heat required to melt a solid). The high value for water's latent heat of evaporation is due to the strong hydrogen bonds between water molecules, which must be overcome to allow the molecules to escape into the vapor phase.

Information Booster

• The latent heat of evaporation for water is one of the highest among common liquids, reflecting the energy required to overcome intermolecular forces.

• Water's high latent heat of evaporation plays a significant role in climate processes, such as the evaporation of water from oceans, lakes, and rivers, influencing weather and heat distribution.

• Evaporation explains cooling processes like sweating, where water absorbs heat from the skin and evaporates, reducing the body's temperature.

• The value of 2260 kJ/kg is taken at 100°C under standard atmospheric pressure. At other temperatures, the value can vary slightly due to changes in the physical properties of water.