What does latent heat primarily affect?

Latent heat primarily affects the state of a substance because it is the heat energy required for a substance to change its state without a change in temperature. This energy is absorbed or released during phase transitions, such as melting (solid to liquid) or vaporization (liquid to gas). For example, when ice melts into water, it absorbs latent heat, allowing the transition from solid to liquid while the temperature remains constant until the transition is complete. Similarly, when water boils to become steam, it again absorbs latent heat, facilitating the change from liquid to gas at a constant temperature.

By focusing on the changes in state, rather than changes in temperature, mass, or pressure, we can better understand processes like refrigeration and air conditioning, where the effective management of energy transfers at phase transitions is crucial for achieving desired cooling effects.