When would latent heat be mainly relevant in the cooling process?

When would latent heat be mainly relevant in the cooling process?

• A. During the heating phase
• B. During the phase change from gas to liquid
• C. During the phase change from liquid to gas
• D. During the distribution of cooled air

Answer: (C)

Latent heat is closely associated with the energy transfer that occurs during phase changes of a substance. In the context of cooling processes, it is particularly relevant when a liquid evaporates to become a gas. This transition absorbs heat from the surrounding environment, which is essential in applications such as air conditioning. When refrigerants in the cooling cycle of an HVAC system evaporate, they change from a liquid to a gas, absorbing heat from indoor air in the process. This heat absorption effectively cools the air, making latent heat crucial during this specific phase change. In contrast, during the heating phase, the focus is not on cooling but on raising the temperature, and phase changes from gas to liquid do not have the same cooling effect, as they release heat. The distribution of cooled air involves already cooled air being circulated and does not involve significant changes in phase or the absorption of heat. Thus, the cooling impact through the phase change from liquid to gas is what makes latent heat particularly relevant in this scenario.

Latent heat is closely associated with the energy transfer that occurs during phase changes of a substance. In the context of cooling processes, it is particularly relevant when a liquid evaporates to become a gas. This transition absorbs heat from the surrounding environment, which is essential in applications such as air conditioning.

When refrigerants in the cooling cycle of an HVAC system evaporate, they change from a liquid to a gas, absorbing heat from indoor air in the process. This heat absorption effectively cools the air, making latent heat crucial during this specific phase change.

In contrast, during the heating phase, the focus is not on cooling but on raising the temperature, and phase changes from gas to liquid do not have the same cooling effect, as they release heat. The distribution of cooled air involves already cooled air being circulated and does not involve significant changes in phase or the absorption of heat. Thus, the cooling impact through the phase change from liquid to gas is what makes latent heat particularly relevant in this scenario.