How Is Mass Calculated from Specific Heat?

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the mass of an argon atom using its specific heat at constant volume, specifically c_v = 0.075 cal/g C°. The internal energy of ideal gases, the Equipartition Principle, and Boltzmann's Constant are critical concepts in this calculation. The relationship established is c_v = (3/2)κ(1/m), allowing for the determination of the mass of one argon atom. The molar mass of argon can then be derived by multiplying the mass of a single atom by Avogadro's Number.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of specific heat at constant volume (c_v)
  • Familiarity with the Equipartition Principle
  • Knowledge of Boltzmann's Constant (κ)
  • Concept of Avogadro's Number (N_A)
NEXT STEPS
  • Learn how to apply the Equipartition Principle in thermodynamics
  • Study the relationship between specific heat and molecular mass
  • Explore the calculation of internal energy for ideal gases
  • Investigate the implications of Boltzmann's Constant in statistical mechanics
USEFUL FOR

Students and professionals in physics and chemistry, particularly those studying thermodynamics and gas properties, will benefit from this discussion.

Zorodius
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A problem in my book asks me to compute the mass of a gas molecule given its specific heat at constant volume. ("Take c_v = 0.075 cal/g C° for argon and calculate the mass of an argon atom and the molar mass of argon.")

Can I get a hint on where to go with this? I don't see any way of determining the mass when I only know the specific heat under constant volume, although it makes sense that there would be one.
 
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Zorodius said:
A problem in my book asks me to compute the mass of a gas molecule given its specific heat at constant volume. ("Take c_v = 0.075 cal/g C° for argon and calculate the mass of an argon atom and the molar mass of argon.")

Can I get a hint on where to go with this? I don't see any way of determining the mass when I only know the specific heat under constant volume, although it makes sense that there would be one.

Internal energy of ideal gases - the argon gas is monoatomic - Equipartition Principle - Boltzmann's Constant - Avogadro's Number ...


ehild
 
ehild said:
Internal energy of ideal gases - the argon gas is monoatomic - Equipartition Principle - Boltzmann's Constant - Avogadro's Number ...

some more hints.

Imagine a vessel with a piston. The vessel is filled with argon gas. You can give energy to the gas either by heating or exerting work on it.
\Delta U = \delta Q + \delta W.
The work means (we assume only mechanical work) that we exert force on the piston and move it. But we are interested in a process with constant volume. So the energy changes by adding some amount of heat. The specific heat is the amount of heat energy which rises the temperature of unit mass of a substance by 1 degree (celsius or kelvin). At constant volume
\Delta U = c_v*m*\Delta T or
c_v = \frac{1}{m}*\frac{\partial U}{ \partial t}|_V.
An ideal gas consist of atoms or molecules interacting only with the walls of the container when they collide to it. The internal energy of an ensemble of non-interacting particles is the sum of their KE. The Equipartition Principle states that the average KE per degrees of freedom is
\frac{1}{2} \kappa T
(\kappa is Boltzmann's Constant). Argon is a noble gas, it is monoatomic. The degrees of freedom of a single atom is 3. So the average energy of an argon atom is
\frac {3}{2} \kappa T
The energy of an ensemble of gas, containing N atoms is
U = \frac{3}{2}N \kappa T.
If the mass of one argon atom is m, 1 g argon contains N=1/m atoms. The specific heat of the argon gas is therefore

c_v= \frac{3}{2}\kappa \frac{1}{m}.

Knowing cv, you can calculate the mass of one atom. Take care of the units.
The atomic mass is the mass of one atom multiplied by Avogadro's number, N_A.

ehild
 
Good stuff ehild, thanks.
 
The book claims the answer is that all the magnitudes are the same because "the gravitational force on the penguin is the same". I'm having trouble understanding this. I thought the buoyant force was equal to the weight of the fluid displaced. Weight depends on mass which depends on density. Therefore, due to the differing densities the buoyant force will be different in each case? Is this incorrect?

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