Kondensatsioonisoojus

Kondensatsioonisoojus, also known as the latent heat of condensation, is the amount of heat released when a substance transitions from a gaseous state to a liquid state at constant temperature and pressure. This process is the opposite of vaporization, where heat is absorbed to change a liquid into a gas. The term "latent" refers to the fact that this heat is hidden within the substance and does not result in a temperature change of the substance itself.

The specific latent heat of condensation is a measure of the energy released per unit mass of the substance as it condenses. For example, the specific latent heat of condensation for water at standard atmospheric pressure is approximately 2.26 MJ/kg. This means that 2.26 megajoules of heat are released for every kilogram of water that condenses.

Kondensatsioonisoojus plays a crucial role in various natural and industrial processes. In meteorology, it is a key factor in the formation of clouds and precipitation. In industrial applications, such as refrigeration and air conditioning, understanding and utilizing the latent heat of condensation is essential for efficient heat transfer and energy management. Additionally, it is relevant in fields like chemistry and materials science, where phase transitions and heat transfer are studied.