Specific heats of gases (monoatomic, diatomic, polyatomic)
Molecular model of gases · Physics
Study notes
Example: Find the specific heat at constant volume (c_v) of oxygen (a diatomic gas) at room temperature. Step 1: Identify the gas type – oxygen is diatomic. Step 2: Count the degrees of freedom. For a diatomic gas at moderate temperatures, we have 3 translational + 2 rotational = 5 degrees. Step 3: Use the formula c_v = (f/2)R, where f = 5 and R = 8.314 J/(mol·K). Step 4: Calculate: c_v = (5/2) * 8.314 = 2.5 * 8.314 = 20.785 J/(mol·K). Answer: The specific heat at constant volume for oxygen at room temperature is about 20.8 J/(mol·K).