What are the two specific heats of gases called?
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Gases uniquely have two specific heats unlike solids and liquids. Option A (Cp and Cv) is CORRECT — gases have two specific heats: Cv = specific heat at constant VOLUME. Heat to raise 1 mole of gas by 1°C keeping volume constant. At constant volume no work is done against external pressure so all heat goes into internal energy. Cp = specific heat at constant PRESSURE. Heat to raise 1 mole of gas by 1°C keeping pressure constant. At constant pressure gas expands and does work (W=PΔV) against surroundings so MORE heat is needed. Therefore Cp > Cv always. The difference Cp - Cv = R (Mayer's relation) where R = 8.314 J/mol/K is universal gas constant. Ratio γ = Cp/Cv = adiabatic index: monoatomic=5/3 diatomic=7/5. Options B C D (Cs Ck Ch Cl Ca Cb) are all wrong — these are not standard thermodynamic symbols for any specific heats of gases. They have no physical significance in thermodynamics.
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Heat is a form of energy that transfers between objects or systems due to a temperature difference, moving from a hotter body to a cooler one until thermal equilibrium is reached.
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