The specific latent heat is
1. the amount of energy needed to change the state of 1kg of a substance
2. the amount of energy needed to raise 1kg of a substance by 1° C
1. The specific latent heat is the amount of energy needed to change the state of 1kg of a substance. For example, the specific latent heat of fusion is the amount of energy required to change 1kg of a substance from a solid to a liquid at its melting point.
2. The amount of energy needed to raise 1kg of a substance by 1°C is called the specific heat capacity. This is different from the specific latent heat, which is specifically for changing the state of a substance rather than just raising its temperature.