What type of heat involves a larger exchange of BTUs?

Latent heat refers to the heat energy that is absorbed or released by a substance during a phase change, such as from liquid to vapor or from vapor to liquid, without a change in temperature. This process involves a significant exchange of BTUs because the energy is used to break or form intermolecular bonds rather than to increase the temperature of the substance. For instance, when water vapor condenses into liquid water, it releases a large amount of energy, known as the latent heat of condensation. This amount of heat transfer is substantial compared to sensible heat, which is related to temperature changes within a substance without any phase change. Thus, latent heat is critical in processes like heating, cooling, and refrigeration systems, where managing phase changes effectively can lead to larger energy exchanges.