How will you explain the role of latent heat in the change of state of a substance?

Explanation

When a solid is heated , initially , its temperature increases . Here , the heat absorbed by the body (substance) is used in increasing the kinetic energy of the particles (atomic , molecules, etc.) of the body as well as for doing work against the forces of attraction between them . As the heating is continued , at a certain temperature (melting point) , solid is converted into liquid . In this case , the temperature remains constant and the heat absorbed is used for weakening the bonds and conversion into liquid phase (liquid state) . This heat is called the latent heat of fusion .
When a liquid is converted into the gaseous phase (gaseous state) , at the boiling point , the heat absorbed is used for breaking the bonds between the atoms or molecules . This heat is called the latent heat of vaporization .
Some solids , under certain conditions are directly transformed into the gaseous phase . Here the heat is absorbed but the temperature remains constant . The absorbed heat is used for breaking the bonds between atoms or molecules . This heat is called the latent heat of sublimation .
In general , latent heat is the heat absorbed or given out by a substance during a change of state at constant temperature . In transformation from liquid to solid , gas to liquid and gas to solid , latent heat is given out by the body (substance) .