What is the difference between sensible heat and latent heat?

Sensible heat is the heat exchanged by a substance that results in a temperature change but does not cause a change in phase. This means that when heat is added or removed from a substance, the temperature will increase or decrease, but the substance will remain in the same physical state (solid, liquid, or gas). For instance, when you heat water from 20°C to 100°C, the water remains in the liquid phase while its temperature rises.

This concept is crucial in HVAC systems where controlling temperature is vital for comfort and efficiency. The distinction is also important when evaluating energy transfer processes, as sensible heat plays a critical role in heating and cooling applications where temperature management is a priority.

In contrast to sensible heat, latent heat is associated with phase changes of a substance, such as melting, boiling, or condensing. For example, when ice melts into water or water evaporates into steam, these processes involve the absorption or release of latent heat, but the temperature of the substance does not change during the phase transition.

Understanding the difference helps in designing and managing HVAC systems effectively, as it clarifies how energy transfer affects both temperature control and humidity levels within a space.