--%>

What is heat capacity and how to calculate heat capacity

The temperature reliance of internal energy and enthalpy depends on the heat capacities at constant volume and constant pressure.


The internal energy and enthalpy of chemical systems and the energy changes that accompany chemical reactions depend on the temperature. To make full use of the thermodynamic date we developed, we must see how these data are extended to temperatures other than 25°C.

Heat capacities; it is convenient to deal separately constant pressure processes when the temperature is raised and the energy of the system increases. The heat capacity, already introduced and experimentally determined, as the decrease in the energy of the thermal surroundings that provides the energy to increase the temperature of the system by 1°C, under the specified conditions. Thus we define

1966_heat capacity.png 

And 

68_heat capacity1.png 

If you think of an actual measurement, you see that to increase the temperature of the system, i.e. for ΔT to be positive, there will be a decrease in the energy of the thermal surroundings, that is, ΔUtherm will be negative. The definitions are then being seen to make heat capacities positive quantities.

Heat capacities at constant pressure CP will be used more than will heat capacities at constant volume CV. Some values for CP are given for a temperature of 25°C. All these values for liquids and solids come from experimental, calorimetric studies that depend on the defining equation. Some of the values for gases are experimental, and others are based on calculations of the type of physical properties.

Heat capacities can be used to extend the 25°C thermodynamic quantities to other temperatures. To do so, we will need heat capacity values over a range of temperatures. An analytical expression, rather than a table of values, is needed for most of the calculations we will do. The two empirical CP versus T expressions that have been most used are

CP = a' + b't + c'T2 + ....

And, CP = a + bT + cT-2 + ...

The second of these two forms is more satisfactory. The coefficients that have been deduced for this equation are given for a few substances.

Heat capacities and internal energies and enthalpies: heat capacities, defined in terms of energy changes in the thermal surroundings, can be expressed in terms energy changes in the system.

If any ordinary chemical process occurs and the system has a constant volume ΔUmech = 0 and ΔU = -ΔUtherm, we can express CV as

2156_heat capacity2.png 

If the system is maintained at a constant pressure, ΔH = - ΔUtherm. We can express CP as

190_heat capacity3.png 

Heat capacities in J K-1 mol-1 at constant pressure (parameters for the equation C°P = (a + bT + cT-2):

327_heat capacity4.png 

Heat capacities are characteristics of the system. They are directly linked to the way the internal energy and enthalpy change with temperature when the volume or pressure of the system is correctly controlled.

   Related Questions in Chemistry

  • Q : Problem on thermodynamic equilibrium In

    In the manufacture of sulphuric acid by the contact process, S02 is oxidized to SO3 over a vanadium catalyst: The reactor is adiabatic and operates at atmospheric pressure. The gases enter the reactor at 410&d

  • Q : Surface Tension Vapour Pressure The

    The vapor pressure of small liquid drops depends on the drop size. Although the surface properties of a liquid are different from those of the bulk liquid, the special surface properties can be ignored except in a few situations. One is the case in which a liquid is dispersed into fine dr

  • Q : Which is polar HCl or HF Which one is

    Which one is polar HCl or HF?

  • Q : Normality of solution containing

    Can someone please help me in getting through this problem. Determine the normality of a solution having 4.9 gm H3PO4 dissolved in 500 ml water: (a) 0.3  (b) 1.0  (c) 3.0   (d) 0.1

  • Q : Effect of addition of mercuric iodide

    Give me answer of this question. When mercuric iodide is added to the aqueous solution of potassium iodide, the:(a) Freezing point is raised (b) Freezing point is lowered (c) Freezing point does not change (d) Boiling point does not change

  • Q : Describe the function of the

    Briefly describe the function of the monosaccharide?

  • Q : Application of colligative properties

    Choose the right answer from following. Colligative properties are used for the determination of: (a) Molar Mass (b) Equivalent weight (c) Arrangement of molecules (d) Melting point and boiling point (d) Both (a) and (b)  

  • Q : What is heat capacity and how to

    The temperature reliance of internal energy and enthalpy depends on the heat capacities at constant volume and constant pressure. The internal energy and enthalpy of chemical systems and the energy changes that accompany chemical reactions depend on the

  • Q : Molecular energies and speeds The

    The average translational kinetic energies and speeds of the molecules of a gas can be calculated.The result that the kinetic energy of 1 mol of the molecules of a gas is equal to 3/2 RT can be used to obtain numerical values for the

  • Q : Analytical chemistry 37% weight of HCl

    37% weight of HCl and density is 1.1g/ml. find molarity of HCl