What type of heat is absorbed or released during a change of state without temperature change?

The correct answer is latent heat. Latent heat refers to the heat energy that is absorbed or released by a substance during a phase change, such as melting, freezing, condensation, or evaporation, without a change in temperature. This phase transition involves breaking or forming bonds between molecules, which requires energy input or results in energy release, but does not lead to an increase or decrease in temperature during the process.

For instance, when ice melts into water, it absorbs latent heat from its surroundings, but the temperature of the ice-water mixture remains at 0°C until all the ice has melted. Similarly, when water boils to become steam, it absorbs latent heat without a change in its temperature at 100°C (under normal atmospheric pressure) until it completely transitions to vapor.

Understanding latent heat is crucial in various fields, including engineering and meteorology, as it plays a significant role in processes like refrigeration, heating, and weather patterns.