Dismiss Notice
Join Physics Forums Today!
The friendliest, high quality science and math community on the planet! Everyone who loves science is here!

What is negative heat capacity ?

  1. May 2, 2009 #1

    magnetar

    User Avatar

    what is" negative heat capacity"?

    what is "negative heat capacity"? what is the example of it?
     
    magnetar, May 2, 2009
  2. jcsd
    Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories on Phys.org
  3. May 2, 2009 #2

    Matterwave

    User Avatar
    Science Advisor
    Gold Member

    Re: what is" negative heat capacity"?

    I can't imagine there would be such a case! For a negative heat capacity would imply that as you put more energy into a system, the system gets colder. Or as you take energy away from a system the system gets hotter. Both of these scenarios violate conservation of energy. AFAIK.

    But, I haven't studied all of physics, so correct me if I'm wrong...
     
    Matterwave, May 2, 2009
  4. May 2, 2009 #3

    nicksauce

    User Avatar
    Science Advisor
    Homework Helper

    Re: what is" negative heat capacity"?

    1) Negative heat capacity is simply when as you put energy into a system, its temperature decreases
    2) One example is a black hole... I cannot think of any others.
     
    nicksauce, May 2, 2009
  5. May 3, 2009 #4

    nealh149

    User Avatar

    Re: what is" negative heat capacity"?

    i believe there are certain paramagnetic systems that have negative heat capacity (with constant pressure) at low temperatures.
     
    nealh149, May 3, 2009
  6. May 3, 2009 #5

    Vanadium 50

    User Avatar
    Staff Emeritus
    Science Advisor
    Education Advisor

    Re: what is" negative heat capacity"?

    Any gravitationally bound system will have negative heat capacity - it doesn't have to be a black hole.
     
    Vanadium 50, May 3, 2009
  7. May 4, 2009 #6

    Mapes

    User Avatar
    Science Advisor
    Homework Helper
    Gold Member

    Re: what is" negative heat capacity"?

    Can you give a reference for this? I thought gravitationally bound systems were the only example, and would like to learn more.
     
    Mapes, May 4, 2009
Know someone interested in this topic? Share this thread via Reddit, Google+, Twitter, or Facebook




Similar Discussions: What is negative heat capacity ?

  1. What determines the specific heat capacity of a given substance? (Replies: 2)

  2. Specific heat capacity and heat capacity? (Replies: 3)

  3. Heat Capacity? (Replies: 1)

  4. The heat Capacity of a solid (Replies: 1)

  5. Thermal conductivity and heat capacity (Replies: 6)

Loading...