Thermodynamics: Heat Capacities and First Law of Thermodynamics

These flashcards encapsulate key terms and concepts related to thermodynamics, particularly focusing on heat capacities and the first law of thermodynamics.

Enthalpy (H)

A thermodynamic quantity equal to the internal energy (U) plus the product of pressure (p) and volume (V).

Product Rule of Differentiation

A mathematical rule used to find the derivative of a product of two functions.

First Law of Thermodynamics

States that energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transformed from one form to another.

Isobaric Process

A process that occurs at constant pressure.

Specific Heat Capacity (cp)

The amount of heat required to raise the temperature of a unit mass of a substance by one degree Celsius.

Molar Heat Capacity

The heat capacity per mole of a substance.

Isochoric Heat Capacity (CV)

The heat capacity at constant volume.

Isobaric Heat Capacity (Cp)

The heat capacity at constant pressure.

Heat Capacity Difference (Cp - CV)

The difference in heat capacities at constant pressure and constant volume, which is equal to the product of the number of moles (Nk).

Heat Capacity Ratio (γ)

The ratio of the heat capacities, defined as γ = Cp/CV.

Ideal Gas Law

Describes the relationship between pressure, volume, temperature, and amount of an ideal gas.

Thermodynamic Process

A process that describes the state change of a thermodynamic system.

Diatomic Gas

A gas composed of molecules that consist of two atoms.