Heat Capacity Constant Pressure Formula:
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Heat capacity at constant pressure (Cₚ) is the amount of heat energy required to raise the temperature of a unit mass of a substance by one degree Kelvin while maintaining constant pressure. It's a crucial thermodynamic property for real gases and other substances.
The calculator uses the thermodynamic formula:
Where:
Explanation: This formula relates the heat capacities at constant pressure and constant volume through thermodynamic properties that describe how a substance responds to temperature and pressure changes.
Details: Accurate calculation of heat capacity is essential for thermal system design, energy transfer calculations, chemical process engineering, and understanding material behavior under different thermal conditions.
Tips: Enter all values in appropriate SI units. Ensure temperature is in Kelvin, specific volume in m³/kg, thermal expansion coefficient in 1/K, isothermal compressibility in m²/N, and heat capacities in J/kg·K.
Q1: Why is Cₚ always greater than Cᵥ for real gases?
A: Because at constant pressure, some energy is used for expansion work against external pressure, requiring more heat input for the same temperature rise.
Q2: What are typical Cₚ values for common gases?
A: Air: ~1005 J/kg·K, Water vapor: ~1996 J/kg·K, Oxygen: ~919 J/kg·K, Nitrogen: ~1040 J/kg·K at room temperature.
Q3: How does temperature affect Cₚ?
A: Cₚ generally increases with temperature as more molecular energy modes become active and contribute to heat capacity.
Q4: What is the relationship between Cₚ and Cᵥ for ideal gases?
A: For ideal gases, Cₚ - Cᵥ = R (gas constant), which is approximately 287 J/kg·K for air.
Q5: When is this formula particularly important?
A: This relationship is crucial when dealing with real gases where ideal gas assumptions break down, especially at high pressures or near critical points.