Consider the ratios of the heat capacities $\gamma$ = C_p/C_v for the three types of ideal gases: monatomic, diatomic, and polyatomic.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The heat capacity ratio, F1F1F1S1F1F1F10, depends on the degrees of freedom of the gas molecules. Monatomic gases have three degrees of freedom, while diatomic gases have five and polyatomic gases have more than five. The equation for F1F1F1S1F1F1F10 involves the ratio of specific heats at constant pressure and constant volume, which can be shown to be equal to γ = (f + 2)/f, where f is the number of degrees of freedom. Therefore, for monatomic gases (f = 3), γ = 5/3, for diatomic gases (f = 5), γ = 7/5, and for polyatomic gases (f > 5), γ > 7/5. Since γ is the greatest for monatomic gases, choice A is the correct answer.

Consider the Ratios of the Heat Capacities γ\gammaγ = Cp/Cv for the Three Types of Ideal Gases: Monatomic

Consider the Ratios of the Heat Capacities $\gamma$ = C_p/C_v for the Three Types of Ideal Gases: Monatomic