QUESTION #320
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What is the definition of heat of fusion?

Asked by: Ryan Milana

Answer

'Heat of fusion' measures the amount of energy needed to melt a given mass of a solid at its melting point temperature. Conversely, it also represent the amount of energy given up when a given mass of liquid solidifies. Water, for example, has a heat of fusion of 80 calories per gram. That means it takes 80 calories of energy to melt 1 gram of ice at 0 degrees C. into water at 0 degrees C. Heat of fusion values differ for different materials.
Answered by: Paul Walorski, B.A. Physics, Part-time Physics Instructor