Latent Heat of Vaporization
The thermal energy required to convert a unit mass of liquid into gas at constant boiling temperature.
Governing formula
Q = m L_v
SI unit
J/kg
In depth
Energy absorbed overcomes attractive intermolecular forces in the liquid to completely separate molecules into gas state.
Examples in the real world
Water's exceptionally high latent heat of vaporization ($2,260,000 J/kg$) powering body cooling through sweat evaporation.