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Specific heat at constant volume is a measure of the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of a unit mass of a substance by one degree while keeping its volume constant. It is denoted by the symbol Cv and is expressed in units of energy per unit mass per degree (J/kg·K).
The main difference between constant volume and constant pressure specific heat is that constant volume specific heat (Cv) measures the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of a substance while keeping its volume constant, whereas constant pressure specific heat (Cp) measures the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of a substance while allowing it to expand or contract.
The specific heat at constant volume of an ideal gas can be calculated using the formula Cv = (3/2)R, where R is the gas constant. This formula applies to monoatomic gases, such as helium and argon. For diatomic gases, such as oxygen and nitrogen, the value of Cv is (5/2)R.
Yes, specific heat at constant volume can vary with temperature. As the temperature increases, the internal energy of the gas also increases, meaning that more heat is required to raise the temperature by one degree. This results in a higher Cv value at higher temperatures.
Specific heat at constant volume plays a crucial role in the behavior of gases. It determines the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of a gas, which in turn affects its ability to expand or contract. It also influences the speed of sound and the adiabatic index of a gas, which are important factors in the study of thermodynamics and fluid dynamics.
