Supply energy at a steady rate to a solid and its temperature climbs, the slope set by the specific heat capacity. At a change of state the temperature holds steady while the specific latent heat is absorbed, first to melt, then, over a much longer stretch, to boil. Watch the marker trace the curve.
MissionPredict what the temperature does while the substance melts.Streak 0Best 0
While the substance is melting (solid turning to liquid), its temperature:
phasesolid
temperature−20 °C
Sloped parts: energy raises temperature, Q = mcΔθ. Flat parts: energy changes state at constant temperature, Q = mL. The boiling plateau is longer because L of vaporisation exceeds L of fusion.