Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Specific Heat Capacity
Specific heat capacity is the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of a unit mass of a substance by one degree Celsius. It varies for different materials and is crucial for understanding how substances absorb and transfer heat. For gases, specific heat can differ depending on whether the process occurs at constant volume or constant pressure.
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Constant Volume vs. Constant Pressure
In thermodynamics, processes can occur at constant volume or constant pressure, affecting the specific heat values. The specific heat at constant volume (Cv) measures how much heat is needed to raise the temperature of a gas without changing its volume, while the specific heat at constant pressure (Cp) accounts for work done by the gas during expansion. For ideal gases, the relationship between Cv and Cp is given by the equation Cp = Cv + R, where R is the gas constant.
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Comparison of Specific Heats
Comparing the specific heat of nitrogen gas to that of liquid water highlights the differences in thermal properties between gases and liquids. Water has a high specific heat capacity, which allows it to store and transfer heat effectively, making it essential for climate regulation and biological processes. In contrast, gases like nitrogen typically have lower specific heat capacities, reflecting their lower density and different molecular interactions.
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