What is Heat Content?
Heat content is the total energy possessed by molecules. It is the sum of all potential and kinetic energy associated of given molecules.
1. Potential energy: Energy associated with bonding.
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Changes in Heat Content
In the above graph, you can see the heat content of water changing represented by the temperature change. However, notice that temperature remains constant when ice is melting into water and water is evaporating into steam.
1) SOLID STATE – vibrational energy increases only 2) SOLID → LIQUID (Melting Point) – intermolecular bonds weaken 3) LIQUID STATE – vibrational, translational and rotational energies increase 4) LIQUID → GAS (Boiling Point) – intermolecular bonds break 5) GAS STATE - vibrational, translational and rotational energies continue to increase |