What is described by the latent heat of vaporization?

The latent heat of vaporization refers to the amount of heat required to convert a substance from a liquid to a vapor without changing its temperature. This process occurs at a constant temperature, and the energy absorbed is used to overcome the intermolecular forces holding the liquid molecules together. Therefore, during vaporization, even though heat is being added to the substance, its temperature remains unchanged until the phase change is complete.

This concept is crucial in various agricultural processes, such as irrigation and crop cooling systems, where evaporation plays a significant role in managing plant temperature and water usage. Understanding latent heat helps in designing efficient systems for climate control and irrigation in agricultural engineering.

The other options do not accurately represent the definition of latent heat of vaporization: they describe other thermal processes such as temperature changes, heat release during cooling, or freezing, which are not applicable in the context of phase changes occurring without a temperature change.