Molar heat capacity (Thermodynamics)

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SUMMARY

This discussion focuses on the analysis of molar heat capacity in thermodynamics, specifically using the fundamental equation from Callen's 2nd edition. The participants confirm that the system satisfies the Nernst theorem and derive that the heat capacity at constant volume, c_v, is proportional to T^3 at low temperatures and approaches 3k_b at high temperatures. Key mathematical manipulations involve the relationship between entropy and temperature, particularly using the derivatives of state variables.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of thermodynamic principles, particularly the Nernst theorem.
  • Familiarity with the fundamental equation of state in thermodynamics.
  • Knowledge of calculus, specifically partial derivatives and their applications in thermodynamics.
  • Basic concepts of heat capacity and its temperature dependence.
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the derivation of the Nernst theorem in thermodynamic systems.
  • Learn about the relationship between entropy and temperature in thermodynamic equations.
  • Explore the implications of low and high-temperature behavior on heat capacity.
  • Investigate the mathematical techniques for simplifying thermodynamic equations.
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Students and professionals in thermodynamics, physicists, and engineers seeking to deepen their understanding of heat capacity and its temperature dependence in crystalline solids.

Telemachus
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Homework Statement


Hi there. I'm having some trouble on solving this exercise, which you can find on Callen 2nd edition.

A simple fundamental equation that exhibits some of the qualitative properties of typical crystaline solids is:

u=Ae^{b(v-v_0)^2}s^{4/3}e^{s/3R}
Where A,b, and v0 are positive constants.
a)Show that the system satisfies the Nernst theorem.
b)Show that c_v is proportional to T^3 at low temperature.
c)Show that c_v\rightarrow 3k_b at high temperatures.

The Attempt at a Solution


Well, I think I've solved a. And this is what I did:

\displaystyle\frac{\partial u}{\partial s}=T=Ae^{b(v-v_0)^2} \left[\displaystyle\frac{4}{3}s^{1/3}e^{s/3R}+\displaystyle\frac{1}{3R}s^{4/3}e^{s/3R}\right]

\therefore T \rightarrow 0 \Longleftrightarrow s \rightarrow 0

I'm not sure if this is right. If there's another simple way of doing this I'd like to know.

Then I've tried with b) but I didn't get too far.

c_v=T\left(\displaystyle\frac{\partial s}{\partial T}\right)_v

I don't know what to do from here, I've tried to get the entropic representation for the fundamental equation, but I couldn't, and I think it doesn't help. I think that I should use that for a constant volume du=Tds, but I'm not pretty much sure about this.

Help please :)

Bye there.
 
Last edited:
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You're doing great; your solution for (a) looks fine. For part (b), it is helpful to remember that (\partial s/\partial T)_v=(\partial T/\partial s)^{-1}_v; after all, you have T as a function of s. I also found it useful to simplify T(s) for the low temperature case, when s approaches 0. Which term(s) will dominate?
 
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Thanks Mapes, I didn't see your response before because my email has been hacked. And I was waiting for the advice in my new email :P

Now I'll take my time to analyze your response, it's not comlpetly clear to me yet, and as I left the problem behind because I wasn't making any progress I have to get on it again.

Lets see. You're saying that I should use the inverse, which would be the same than the derivative of T respect to s, the equation of state I get before, right?

Thank you very much sir :)
 
Last edited:
Ok, this is what I did.

\left(\displaystyle\frac{\partial T}{\partial S}\right)^{-1}_v=\left(\displaystyle\frac{\partial S}{\partial T}\right)=\displaystyle\frac{9}{Ae^{b(v-v_0)^2}}\left(\displaystyle\frac{s^{2/3}}{4e^{s/3R}}+\displaystyle\frac{R}{8s^{1/3}e^{s/3R}}+\displaystyle\frac{R^2}{s^{4/3}e^{s/3R}}\right)

so,

c_v=T\left(\displaystyle\frac{\partial S}{\partial T}\right)_v=9\left(\displaystyle\frac{s}{R}+\displaystyle\frac{R}{12}+\displaystyle\frac{4R^2}{3}+\displaystyle\frac{s^2}{12R}+\displaystyle\frac{s}{24}+\displaystyle\frac{RS}{3} \right)

Now, when T approaches to zero s approaches to zero, then remains the constants. But I don't see the T^3

If s\rightarrow 0, then
c_v \rightarrow 9\left(\displaystyle\frac{R}{12}+\displaystyle\frac{4R^2}{3} \right)

I think there is something wrong with this. Perhaps I've made some mistakes with the derivatives or something.
 
Last edited:
Couldn't get the relation with T^3. Anyway, how do I get the equation for higher temperatures? it doesn't seem to work just making s \rightarrow \infty
 
Telemachus said:
Now, when T approaches to zero s approaches to zero, then remains the constants. But I don't see the T^3

As T becomes small, s becomes small. As s becomes small, T\approx Ae^{b(v-v_0)^2} 4s^{1/3}/3 because higher powers of s become negligible and the exponential becomes approximately one. Now try finding c_V again.

A similar approach works for part (c).
 
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Thanks.
 

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