What is the term for energy that is absorbed or released during a change in state?

The term used to describe energy that is absorbed or released during a change in state is latent energy. This energy is involved in the processes of phase changes such as melting, freezing, condensation, and evaporation. During these changes, the temperature of the substance may remain constant while the energy is either added or removed, which is why it is referred to as "latent," meaning it is hidden or stored energy that facilitates the transition between different states of matter without changing the substance's temperature.

Kinetic energy refers to the energy of motion and is not directly related to changes in the state of a substance. Potential energy is associated with the position or arrangement of an object and does not specifically pertain to changes in state. Thermal energy relates to the temperature of a substance and is the total energy of all the particles within the system, but it does not directly describe the energy involved in phase transitions, which is what latent energy specifically addresses.