What is the latent heat of vaporization of water?

The latent heat of vaporization of water refers to the amount of heat energy required to convert water from a liquid to a gas state without changing its temperature. This value is significant in various applications, especially in refrigeration and HVAC systems, as it directly relates to the efficiency of cooling processes.

For water, the latent heat of vaporization is approximately 970.3 BTU per pound. This high value indicates that water requires a substantial amount of energy to change its state from liquid to vapor, which is why evaporative cooling systems can be effective and efficient. This property allows for significant heat removal with minimal changes in temperature, making it a crucial concept in thermal management.

The other options represent quantities that do not align with the scientifically established value for the latent heat of vaporization of water at standard atmospheric pressure. Knowing this value is essential for professionals in the refrigeration field as it impacts calculations related to system performance and efficiency.