The specific heat capacity of solids

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SUMMARY

The specific heat capacity of most solids is approximately 25 J K-1 mol-1, primarily due to the principles outlined in the Dulong-Petit Law, which states that the classical limit of a crystal's heat capacity is 3R per mole. This value reflects the average energy required to raise the temperature of a mole of solid material by one degree Kelvin. Variations exist among different materials, as evidenced by the significant differences in specific heat capacities between substances like glass and copper.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Dulong-Petit Law
  • Familiarity with the concept of specific heat capacity
  • Basic knowledge of thermodynamics
  • Awareness of equipartition theory
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the Dulong-Petit Law in detail
  • Explore equipartition theory and its implications in thermodynamics
  • Investigate specific heat capacities of various materials using resources like Engineering Toolbox
  • Examine the relationship between atomic structure and specific heat capacity
USEFUL FOR

Students of physics and chemistry, materials scientists, and engineers interested in thermodynamic properties of solids will benefit from this discussion.

Saxby
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Why is the specific heat capacity of most solids around 25JK-1mol-1?

I remember being told ages ago that is was something to do with the theory of equipartition but I'm not really sure how that theory affects it or why it's around 25JK-1mol-1
 
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Saxby said:
Why is the specific heat capacity of most solids around 25JK-1mol-1?

I remember being told ages ago that is was something to do with the theory of equipartition but I'm not really sure how that theory affects it or why it's around 25JK-1mol-1

Are you sure?

Here is a list of specific heats of some of the most common solids:

http://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/specific-heat-solids-d_154.html

Compare some of the common stuff - glass window and copper. One is about twice the other. That's a 100% difference! And scanning through the list, I don't see this trend of them being "most" around the number you cited.

Zz.
 
The classical limit of a crystals heat capacity is 3R per mole. It's called the Dulong-Petit Law if you'd like to read about it.
 

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