Home
Back
Heat of Condensation Formula:
| From: | To: |
Heat of condensation is the thermal energy released when a vapor changes phase to a liquid. It represents the same magnitude as the heat of vaporization but with opposite sign, indicating energy release rather than absorption during the phase change process.
The calculator uses the heat of condensation formula:
Where:
Explanation: The formula calculates the thermal energy released when vapor condenses to liquid, with negative sign indicating energy release from the system.
Details: Understanding heat release during condensation is crucial for designing heat exchangers, refrigeration systems, power plants, and various industrial processes involving phase changes.
Tips: Enter mass in kilograms and latent heat of vaporization in joules per kilogram. Both values must be positive numbers greater than zero for accurate calculation.
Q1: Why is heat released negative for condensation?
A: The negative sign indicates that energy is being released from the system to the surroundings during the condensation process, opposite to vaporization where energy is absorbed.
Q2: What is the relationship between heat of vaporization and condensation?
A: They have the same magnitude but opposite signs. The heat absorbed during vaporization equals the heat released during condensation for the same mass of substance.
Q3: How does temperature affect latent heat values?
A: Latent heat values generally decrease with increasing temperature and become zero at the critical point where liquid and vapor phases become indistinguishable.
Q4: What are typical latent heat values for common substances?
A: Water has ΔH_vap ≈ 2260 kJ/kg at 100°C, while ethanol has ≈ 841 kJ/kg and ammonia ≈ 1370 kJ/kg at their respective boiling points.
Q5: Why is this calculation important in engineering?
A: Accurate heat calculation is essential for designing efficient condensation systems, calculating cooling loads, and optimizing energy transfer in thermal processes.