The ratio of the specific heat of a gas at constant volume to its specific heat at constant pressure is:
A) 1
B) less than 1
C) more than 1
D) has units of pressure/volume
E) has units of volume/pressure

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The ratio of the specific heat of a gas at constant volume (Cv) to its specific heat at constant pressure (Cp) is less than 1, because Cp is always greater than Cv for a given gas. This ratio is known as the specific heat ratio or adiabatic index, denoted by gamma (γ = Cp/Cv), and it is always greater than 1, making the reciprocal (Cv/Cp) less than 1.

The Ratio of the Specific Heat of a Gas at Constant