Which statement about heat transfer is true regarding latent heat?

Latent heat is a key concept in thermodynamics, particularly concerning phase changes of a substance. This form of heat transfer occurs during the processes of melting, freezing, boiling, condensation, and sublimation, where energy is either absorbed or released without a change in temperature. For instance, when ice melts into water, energy is absorbed in the form of latent heat, and during the boiling of water into steam, heat is also added without a temperature increase until the phase change is completed.

Understanding latent heat is crucial for applications such as refrigeration and air conditioning. In these systems, refrigerants absorb latent heat during evaporation, allowing them to effectively remove heat from the environment. Therefore, the relationship between latent heat and phase changes makes it vital for understanding how heat transfer operates in various applications.