What does specific latent heat of vaporisation refer to?

Specific latent heat of vaporisation is defined as the amount of energy required to convert 1 kilogram of a liquid into 1 kilogram of vapor without a change in temperature. During this phase change, the energy supplied is used to overcome the intermolecular forces holding the liquid molecules together. This process occurs at a constant temperature, which is essential in understanding the concept, as it emphasizes that the energy is not raising the temperature but facilitating the transition into the gaseous state.

In this context, the correct answer highlights the necessity of recognizing the specific latent heat as a measure of energy associated with the change in state from liquid to vapor, distinguishing it from other forms of latent heat associated with different phase changes, such as fusion or freezing, or those involving solids, which do not pertain to the process of vaporization.