____________ is the type of heat that is absorbed or extracted from a substance when the substance changes state.

Latent heat refers to the amount of heat energy that a substance absorbs or releases during a phase change, such as melting, freezing, vaporization, or condensation. This process occurs without a change in temperature, which distinguishes latent heat from other types of heat.

For example, when ice melts into water, it absorbs heat (latent heat) from its surroundings, allowing the phase transition to occur without increasing in temperature. Similarly, during the condensation of steam into water, the steam releases latent heat, which is why this heat energy can be harnessed in practical applications such as heating systems.

In contrast, specific heat pertains to the quantity of heat required to change the temperature of a unit mass of a substance by one degree Celsius. Sensible heat relates to the heat that causes a change in temperature in a substance, where the heat transfer results in a temperature change. Thermal energy is a broader term that encompasses both latent and sensible heat but does not specifically define the phase change aspect.

Thus, the selection of latent heat as the correct answer emphasizes its unique role in phase changes, highlighting the concept that while heat is being transferred, the temperature of the substance remains constant during the transition.