Q.The difference between CP and CV can be derived using the empirical relation H = U + pV. Calculate the difference between CP and CV for 10 moles of an ideal gas.
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🔒 Start your 14-day free trial to unlock the full solution →Concept understanding — Heat Capacity at Constant Pressure
Heat Capacity at Constant Pressure — From Intuition to Precision
Imagine you have a pot of water on a stove. You turn the burner on, and the water gets hotter. How much heat does it take to raise its temperature by, say, 10°C? That depends on two things: how much water you have, and whether the pot is open to the air or sealed tight.
If the pot is open (constant pressure — the air above it is always at atmospheric pressure), the water can expand as it heats. Some of the energy you supply goes into pushing the atmosphere aside — doing work against the outside air. So you need to put in more heat than if the pot were sealed (constant volume), where no expansion work is possible.
That extra heat is the key idea behind heat capacity at constant pressure, denoted Cp.
The Intuition First
Heat capacity tells you: "How much heat must I add to raise the temperature of this substance by 1°C (or 1 K)?"
- At constant volume (Cv): All the heat goes into increasing the internal energy (the kinetic and potential energy of the molecules). No work is done because the volume doesn't change.
- At constant pressure (Cp): Some heat goes into internal energy, but some also goes into the work of expansion against the constant external pressure. So Cp is always larger than Cv for gases (and for most solids/liquids, the difference is tiny because they barely expand).
For an ideal gas, the difference is exactly Cp−Cv=nR, where n is the number of moles and R is the universal gas constant. This is a direct consequence of the first law of thermodynamics.
The Precise Statement
Heat capacity at constant pressure is defined as the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of a substance by 1 K (or 1°C) while keeping the pressure constant.
Mathematically:
Cp=(dTδQ)p
The subscript p means "at constant pressure." The δQ (not dQ) reminds us that heat is a path-dependent quantity, not a state function.
But we can rewrite this in terms of a state function — enthalpy (H). At constant pressure, the heat added equals the change in enthalpy:
δQp=dH
Therefore:
Cp=(∂T∂H)p
This is the working definition you'll use in problems: Cp is the partial derivative of enthalpy with respect to temperature at constant pressure.
Molar vs. Specific Heat Capacity
You'll encounter two common forms:
- Molar heat capacity at constant pressure (Cp,m): heat capacity per mole (units: J mol⁻¹ K⁻¹)
- Specific heat capacity at constant pressure (cp): heat capacity per unit mass (units: J kg⁻¹ K⁻¹)
The total heat capacity of a sample is:
Cp=n⋅Cp,m=m⋅cp
Why It Matters
In most chemical reactions and physical processes, the system is open to the atmosphere — constant pressure. So Cp is the relevant quantity for:
- Calculating enthalpy changes (ΔH=nCp,mΔT)
- Designing calorimeters (like coffee-cup calorimeters that operate at constant pressure) …
The key idea is that for an ideal gas, the enthalpy H=U+nRT, so the difference CP−CV comes from the temperature derivative of the pV term.
Step 1: Write the definitions.
CP=(∂T∂H)P and CV=(∂T∂U)V.
Step 2: For an ideal gas, H=U+nRT. Differentiate with respect to T at constant P:
(∂T∂H)P=(∂T∂U)P+nR. …
The difference CP−CV for an ideal gas is nR, independent of the gas and the temperature. For 10 moles, this difference is 10R≈83.14 J K−1.
The relation H=U+pV is the definition of enthalpy. For an ideal gas, pV=nRT, so H=U+nRT. The heat capacities at constant pressure and constant volume are defined as the partial derivatives of enthalpy and internal energy with respect to temperature:
CP=(∂T∂H)p,CV=(∂T∂U)V
The key insight is that for an ideal gas, internal energy U depends only on temperature, not on volume or pressure. This means (∂T∂U)V=dTdU, the same derivative regardless of the constraint. Similarly, enthalpy H=U+nRT also depends only on temperature for an ideal gas, so (∂T∂H)p=dTdH.
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Start from the definition of enthalpy: H=U+pV. For an ideal gas, pV=nRT, so H=U+nRT.
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Differentiate H with respect to temperature at constant pressure:
CP=(∂T∂H)p=dTdU+nR
- The constant-volume heat capacity is:
CV=(∂T∂U)V=dTdU
- Subtract the two expressions: CP−CV=(dTdU+nR)−dTdU=nR …
Showing the 12 most recent of 36 on this concept.
- TG EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-09-AN1 markMCQQ.5 moles of monoatomic gas and one mole of rigid diatomic gas are mixed. The internal energy (in kJ) of the gaseous mixture at a temperature of 127 ∘C is (Universal gas constant = 8.31 J mol−1 K−1) (A) 66.48 (B) 49.86 (C) 16.62 (D) 33.24
›Reveal solutionSolution
Total internal energy U=(23n1+25n2)RT=10RT=33.24kJ.
For n1=5 moles monoatomic gas, CV=23R; for n2=1 mole rigid diatomic gas, CV=25R. Temperature T=127∘C=400K. …
- TG EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-11-FN1 markMCQQ.If Q1 is the heat required to convert 2 g of ice at a temperature of 0∘C to water at a temperature of 40∘C and Q2 is the heat required to convert 4 g of ice at a temperature of 0∘C to water at a temperature of 80∘C, then Q1:Q2= (Latent heat of fusion of ice =80calg−1 and specific heat capacity of water =1calg−1∘C−1) (A) 3:8 (B) 1:2 (C) 1:4 (D) 3:4
›Reveal solutionSolution
The ratio Q1:Q2 is found by calculating the total heat (latent + sensible) for each case and simplifying. The result is 3:8.
The problem asks for the ratio of two heats, each involving two stages: melting ice at 0∘C into water at 0∘C (latent heat), then heating that water to a final temperature (sensible heat). The key is to treat each stage separately and sum them.
Latent heat depends only on mass, not on temperature change. Sensible heat depends on mass, specific heat, and the temperature rise. So for each case, we compute Q=mLf+mcΔT, then take the ratio.
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For Q1 (2 g ice to 40∘C water):
Mass m1=2g.
Latent heat: Qlatent,1=m1Lf=2×80=160cal.
Sensible heat (heating water from 0∘C to 40∘C): Qsensible,1=m1cΔT1=2×1×40=80cal.
Total: Q1=160+80=240cal.
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For Q2 (4 g ice to 80∘C water):
Mass m2=4g.
Latent heat: Qlatent,2=4×80=320cal.
Sensible heat (heating from 0∘C to 80∘C): Qsensible,2=4×1×80=320cal.
Total: Q2=320+320=640cal.
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Find the ratio: …
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- TG EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-11-AN1 markMCQQ.Ice of mass 80 g at a temperature of −10∘C is mixed with water of mass 100 g at a temperature of 20∘C. The ratio of the masses of ice and water in the mixture in equilibrium is (Latent heat of fusion of ice =80calg−1, specific heat capacities of water and ice are 1calg−1∘C−1 and 0.5calg−1∘C−1 respectively) (A) 4:5 (B) 1:2 (C) 2:3 (D) 3:4
›Reveal solutionSolution
The key idea is to check whether all the ice melts or not by comparing the heat needed to warm and melt the ice with the heat the water can supply. The final equilibrium mixture has ice and water in the ratio 1:2, so the correct option is (B).
Concept and Intuition
When ice and water at different temperatures are mixed, heat flows from the warmer water to the colder ice. The ice first warms to 0 °C, then may melt if enough heat remains. The water cools to 0 °C. The final state depends on whether the water’s available heat is enough to melt all the ice. We calculate the heat required to bring the ice to 0 °C and then melt it, and compare it with the heat the water can give up by cooling to 0 °C. If the water’s heat is insufficient, only part of the ice melts, and the mixture stays at 0 °C with both ice and water present.
Step-by-step solution
- Heat needed to warm the ice from –10 °C to 0 °C Mass of ice mi=80 g, specific heat of ice ci=0.5 cal g−1°C−1.
Q1=miciΔT=80×0.5×(0−(−10))=80×0.5×10=400 cal.
- Heat needed to melt all the ice at 0 °C Latent heat of fusion L=80 cal g−1.
Q2=miL=80×80=6400 cal.
Total heat required to turn all ice into water at 0 °C:
Qice, total=Q1+Q2=400+6400=6800 cal.
- Heat the water can supply by cooling from 20 °C to 0 °C Mass of water mw=100 g, specific heat of water cw=1 cal g−1°C−1.
Qwater=mwcwΔT=100×1×(20−0)=2000 cal.
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Compare the heat available with the heat needed
The water can supply only 2000 cal, but melting all the ice requires 6800 cal. Clearly, not all ice melts. The mixture will end at 0 °C with some ice remaining.
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How much ice actually melts?
First, the ice must be warmed to 0 °C, which uses 400 cal. The remaining heat from the water is
- TG EAPCET 2025Set eng-2025-05-02-FN1 markMCQQ.The heat required to convert 8 g of ice at a temperature of −20∘C to steam at 100∘C is [Specific heat capacity of ice =2100Jkg−1K−1, specific heat capacity of water =4200Jkg−1K−1, latent heat of fusion of ice =336×103Jkg−1 and latent heat of steam =2.268×106Jkg−1] (A) 5400 cal (B) 5840 cal (C) 5760 cal (D) 5120 cal
›Reveal solutionSolution
Sum the four stages — warming ice, melting, warming water, boiling — to get 24528 J, which is 5840 cal — option (B).
Concept
Taking 8 g=0.008 kg from ice at −20∘C to steam at 100∘C needs four heat inputs: raising ice to 0∘C, melting it, raising water to 100∘C, and vaporising it.
Solution
Q1=mciceΔT=0.008×2100×20=336 J.
Q2=mLf=0.008×336×103=2688 J.
Q3=mcwaterΔT=0.008×4200×100=3360 J. …
- TG EAPCET 2025Set eng-2025-05-02-AN1 markMCQQ.A gas is suddenly compressed such that its absolute temperature is doubled. If the ratio of the specific heat capacities of the gas is 1.5, then the percentage decrease in the volume of the gas is (A) 30 (B) 50 (C) 25 (D) 75
›Reveal solutionSolution
For an adiabatic process, TVγ−1=constant. With γ=1.5 and T2=2T1, the volume ratio is V2/V1=1/22≈0.3536, so the percentage decrease is about 64.6% — but the given options suggest a different interpretation: the problem likely intends a sudden compression as an adiabatic process where T∝V1−γ, leading to a 75% decrease, matching option (D).
Concept & Intuition
The phrase “suddenly compressed” is the key. In thermodynamics, a sudden change means there is no time for heat exchange with the surroundings — the process is adiabatic. For an ideal gas undergoing a reversible adiabatic process, the relation between temperature and volume is
TVγ−1=constant,
where γ=Cp/Cv is the ratio of specific heats. Here γ=1.5, and the temperature doubles. We can directly find how the volume changes.
Step-by-step solution
- Write the adiabatic relation For an adiabatic process:
T1V1γ−1=T2V2γ−1.
Given T2=2T1 and γ=1.5, so γ−1=0.5.
- Substitute and solve for the volume ratio
T1V10.5=(2T1)V20.5.
Cancel T1 (non-zero):
V10.5=2V20.5.
Square both sides:
V1=4V2⇒V1V2=41.
- Interpret the result …
- TG EAPCET 2025Set eng-2025-05-04-AN1 markMCQQ.A Carnot engine uses diatomic gas as a working substance. During the adiabatic expansion part of the cycle, if the volume of the gas becomes 32 times its initial volume, then the efficiency of the engine is (A) 100% (B) 75% (C) 50% (D) 25%
›Reveal solutionSolution
The efficiency of a Carnot engine depends only on the temperatures of the reservoirs. For a diatomic gas undergoing adiabatic expansion with a volume ratio of 32, the temperature ratio is found using the adiabatic relation TVγ−1=constant, with γ=7/5. This gives an efficiency of 75%, so the correct option is (B).
The key idea is that in a Carnot cycle, efficiency is η=1−ThotTcold. The adiabatic expansion step connects the hot and cold temperatures via the volume change. For a diatomic gas, the adiabatic index γ=Cp/Cv=7/5. Using the relation TVγ−1=constant, we can find the temperature ratio from the given volume ratio, and then compute the efficiency.
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Recall the Carnot efficiency formula
The efficiency of a Carnot engine is η=1−ThTc, where Th is the temperature of the hot reservoir and Tc is the temperature of the cold reservoir. The adiabatic expansion in the cycle connects these two temperatures.
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Apply the adiabatic relation for an ideal gas
For a reversible adiabatic process, TVγ−1=constant. Let the initial volume before expansion be V1 and the final volume after expansion be V2=32V1. The temperatures at these points are Th (start of adiabatic expansion) and Tc (end of adiabatic expansion). Thus:
ThV1γ−1=TcV2γ−1
Rearranging:
ThTc=(V2V1)γ−1
- Substitute the volume ratio and γ for a diatomic gas For a diatomic gas, γ=57, so γ−1=52. The volume ratio V2/V1=32, so V1/V2=1/32. Therefore:
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- TG EAPCET 2025Set eng-2025-05-04-FN1 markMCQQ.A Carnot engine uses diatomic gas as a working substance. During the adiabatic expansion part of the cycle, if the volume of the gas becomes 32 times its initial volume, then the efficiency of the engine is (A) 100% (B) 50% (C) 75% (D) 25%
›Reveal solutionSolution
For a Carnot engine with a diatomic gas, the adiabatic relation TVγ−1=constant links the temperature drop to the volume expansion. Using γ=7/5 for a diatomic gas and a 32‑fold volume increase in the adiabatic expansion, the efficiency comes out to 75%.
The key idea is that a Carnot engine’s efficiency depends only on the temperatures of the two reservoirs: η=1−TC/TH. In the adiabatic expansion step, the gas cools from TH to TC as its volume increases. For an ideal gas undergoing a reversible adiabatic process, temperature and volume are related by TVγ−1=constant. So the ratio TC/TH can be found directly from the volume ratio, without needing any other data.
A diatomic gas at ordinary temperatures has γ=Cp/Cv=7/5=1.4. That’s a standard result: Cv=25R, Cp=27R, so γ−1=2/5=0.4.
Now let’s work through the calculation.
- Adiabatic relation for the expansion For a reversible adiabatic process, TVγ−1=constant. If the gas starts at temperature TH and volume V1, and ends at TC and volume V2, then
THV1γ−1=TCV2γ−1.
Rearranging gives
THTC=(V2V1)γ−1.
- Plug in the given numbers The volume becomes 32 times its initial value, so V2/V1=32, hence V1/V2=1/32. For a diatomic gas, γ−1=2/5=0.4. Therefore
THTC=(321)0.4.
- Simplify the exponent Write 32=25. Then …
- TG EAPCET 2025Set ap-2025-04-29-FN1 markMCQQ.The energy required to increase the radius of a soap bubble from 3 cm to 4 cm is (Surface tension of soap solution =3×10−2 Nm−1) (A) 528×10−6 J (B) 264×10−6 J (C) 1056×10−6 J (D) 478×10−6 J
›Reveal solutionSolution
The energy required to expand a soap bubble is the work done against surface tension to increase its total surface area (considering both inner and outer surfaces). This energy is calculated as the product of surface tension and the change in total surface area. For the given radii, the energy required is 528×10−6 J.
Concept and Intuition
When a liquid surface expands, molecules from the bulk of the liquid move to the surface. To do this, they must overcome the cohesive forces pulling them inwards, which requires energy. This energy is stored as potential energy in the expanded surface, and the work done to create this new surface area is directly proportional to the increase in area. This phenomenon is quantified by surface tension (T), which can be defined as the work done per unit increase in surface area.
For a soap bubble, a critical detail is that it has two free surfaces in contact with air: an inner surface and an outer surface. Therefore, when the radius of the bubble increases, both these surfaces expand. The total surface area that changes is twice the geometric surface area of a sphere.
The energy required to increase the surface area of a liquid film by ΔA is given by:
W=T×ΔA
where W is the work done (energy required), T is the surface tension, and ΔA is the change in total surface area.
Step-by-step Derivation
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Identify the given values and convert units:
- Surface tension of soap solution, T=3×10−2 Nm−1.
- Initial radius of the soap bubble, R1=3 cm=3×10−2 m.
- Final radius of the soap bubble, R2=4 cm=4×10−2 m.
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Calculate the initial total surface area (A1) of the soap bubble:
A spherical soap bubble has two surfaces (inner and outer). The surface area of a single sphere is 4πR2. Therefore, the total surface area of a soap bubble is 2×4πR2=8πR2.
A1=8πR12=8π(3×10−2 m)2
A1=8π(9×10−4 m2)
A1=72π×10−4 m2
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Calculate the final total surface area (A2) of the soap bubble:
Similarly, for the final radius:
A2=8πR22=8π(4×10−2 m)2
A2=8π(16×10−4 m2)
A2=128π×10−4 m2
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Calculate the change in total surface area (ΔA):
ΔA=A2−A1 …
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- TG EAPCET 2024Set ap-2024-05-08-FN1 markMCQQ.The initial and the final temperatures of a black body are 27∘C and 177∘C respectively. The increase in the amount of radiation emitted per second is (A) 506.25% (B) 150.25% (C) 225.75% (D) 406.25%
›Reveal solutionSolution
The radiation emitted by a black body scales as T4 (Stefan–Boltzmann law). Converting temperatures to Kelvin and taking the ratio gives a factor of (450/300)4=(1.5)4=5.0625, so the increase is 406.25% — option (D).
The key idea is Stefan’s law: for a black body, the total power radiated per unit area is σT4, where T is the absolute temperature in Kelvin. When the temperature changes, the radiated power changes as the fourth power of the ratio of absolute temperatures. A common mistake is to use Celsius directly — that breaks the T4 law because it’s not a ratio scale. Always convert to Kelvin first.
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Convert temperatures to Kelvin.
T1=27∘C+273=300 K
T2=177∘C+273=450 K
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Apply Stefan–Boltzmann law.
The power radiated per second (for the same surface area) is proportional to T4. So
P1P2=(T1T2)4=(300450)4=(1.5)4
Compute: 1.52=2.25, then 2.252=5.0625. Hence P2=5.0625P1.
- Find the percentage increase. …
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- TG EAPCET 2024Set ap-2024-05-07-FN1 markMCQQ.A black body at a temperature of 125∘C, emits heat at the rate of 32 Wm−2. The rate of heat emitted by the body when the temperature of the body is increased by 398 K is (A) 64 Wm−2 (B) 128 Wm−2 (C) 512 Wm−2 (D) 256 Wm−2
›Reveal solutionSolution
The key idea is that the power radiated by a black body is proportional to the fourth power of its absolute temperature (Stefan–Boltzmann law). Converting the given Celsius temperature to Kelvin and applying the ratio of powers gives the new emission rate as 512 Wm−2, so the correct option is (C).
Concept and intuition
A black body is an ideal emitter: the power it radiates per unit area depends only on its absolute temperature T (in Kelvin). The Stefan–Boltzmann law states:
P=σT4
where σ is the Stefan–Boltzmann constant.
If the temperature changes, the new power is proportional to the fourth power of the new absolute temperature. The problem gives an initial temperature in Celsius and a temperature increase in Kelvin (which is the same as an increase in Celsius degrees). The crucial step is to work entirely in Kelvin.
Step-by-step solution
- Convert the initial temperature to Kelvin The initial temperature is 125∘C.
T1=125+273=398 K
- Identify the temperature increase The temperature is increased by 398 K. So the new absolute temperature is:
T2=T1+398=398+398=796 K
- Apply the Stefan–Boltzmann law The initial power per unit area is P1=32 Wm−2. Since P∝T4, we have:
P1P2=(T1T2)4
- Compute the ratio
T1T2=398796=2
Therefore:
P1P2=24=16 …
- TG EAPCET 2024Set eng-2024-05-10-AN1 markMCQQ.Steam of mass 60 g at a temperature 100 ∘C is mixed with water of mass 360 g at a temperature 40 ∘C. The ratio of the masses of steam and water in equilibrium is (Latent heat of steam is 540 cal g−1 and specific heat capacity of water is 1 cal g−1 ∘C−1) (A) 1 : 20 (B) 1 : 10 (C) 1 : 5 (D) 1 : 3
›Reveal solutionSolution
Warming the water to 100∘C condenses only 40 g of steam, leaving 20 g steam and 400 g water — a ratio of 1:20.
Heat needed to raise the water to 100∘C.
The 360 g of water at 40∘C needs to be heated by 60∘C:
Qwater=mcΔT=360×1×(100−40)=21600 cal.
Heat available from condensing all the steam.
Condensing the entire 60 g of steam would release
Qsteam=60×540=32400 cal.
Since 32400>21600, not all the steam condenses. Equilibrium is reached at 100∘C with steam and water coexisting.
Mass of steam that condenses.
Let m grams of steam condense, supplying exactly the heat the water needs: …
- TG EAPCET 2024Set eng-2024-05-10-AN1 markMCQQ.The temperature at which the rms speed of oxygen molecules is 75% of rms speed of nitrogen molecules at a temperature of 287 ∘C is (A) 87 ∘C (B) 127 ∘C (C) 227 ∘C (D) 360 ∘C
›Reveal solutionSolution
The rms speed of a gas depends on temperature and molar mass; setting the oxygen rms speed to 75% of nitrogen’s rms speed gives a relation that yields the required temperature. The answer is 87 °C.
The key idea is that the root‑mean‑square speed of gas molecules is given by
vrms=M3RT
where T is the absolute temperature (in kelvin) and M is the molar mass (in kg mol⁻¹).
We are told that for oxygen, vrms,O2 is 75% of vrms,N2 at a known temperature of nitrogen. This lets us set up a ratio that eliminates the gas constant R and directly relates the temperatures and molar masses.
- Convert the given nitrogen temperature to kelvin The nitrogen temperature is 287∘C.
TN2=287+273=560 K
- Write the rms speed expressions For nitrogen (molar mass MN2=28 g mol−1=0.028 kg mol−1):
vrms,N2=0.0283R⋅560
For oxygen (molar mass MO2=32 g mol−1=0.032 kg mol−1) at unknown temperature TO2:
vrms,O2=0.0323R⋅TO2
- Apply the given condition
vrms,O2=0.75⋅vrms,N2
Substitute the expressions:
0.0323RTO2=0.75⋅0.0283R⋅560
- Cancel common factors and square both sides The factor 3R cancels from both sides:
0.032TO2=0.75⋅0.028560
Squaring:
0.032TO2=(0.75)2⋅0.028560
0.032TO2=0.5625⋅0.028560
- Simplify the right‑hand side First compute 0.028560:
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