Which of these statements about Latent Heat is true?

The statement that latent heat occurs during phase transitions of a substance is accurate because latent heat specifically refers to the heat energy that is either absorbed or released by a substance during a change of state, such as melting, freezing, evaporation, or condensation, without a change in temperature. This is a critical concept in thermodynamics as it explains how substances can transition from solid to liquid, liquid to gas, and vice versa, while maintaining a constant temperature until the entire phase transition is complete.

Understanding latent heat is important in various scientific and engineering applications, including climate science, refrigeration, and heating systems. The process of melting ice requires energy to break the bonds between water molecules, which does not increase temperature until all the ice has melted, highlighting the unique nature of latent heat in phase changes.

The other choices lack this fundamental connection to phase transitions, with some misrepresenting the relationships between heat, temperature, and mechanical systems. Specifically, latent heat distinctly operates under specific conditions centered on state changes, making its understanding essential in various practical applications.