Kondensationsvärme

Kondensationsvärme, also known as the heat of condensation, is the term used in thermodynamics to describe the amount of energy released when a gas or vapor changes into a liquid at a constant temperature and pressure. This process is the reverse of vaporization, where heat is absorbed to convert a liquid into a gas. The magnitude of the kondensationsvärme is equal to the latent heat of vaporization for the same substance.

When a substance condenses, its molecules lose kinetic energy as they transition from a more disordered gaseous state to a more ordered liquid state. This lost energy is released into the surroundings as heat. For example, when steam (water vapor) condenses into liquid water, it releases a significant amount of energy. This is why steam burns can be more severe than burns from hot water, as the condensation of steam on the skin releases latent heat in addition to the sensible heat of the liquid water.

The concept of kondensationsvärme is crucial in various applications, including weather phenomena like cloud formation and precipitation, and in engineering for designing heat exchangers, refrigeration systems, and power generation cycles. Understanding and quantifying this heat transfer is essential for predicting and controlling phase changes in many natural and industrial processes.