CIVE 290 Thermodynamics and Heat Transfer

Specific Heats

T2

ΔU = m ∫ Cv dT
T1

We have seen that internal energy is a function of temperature only for an ideal gas. The
specific heat at constant volume (Cv) is a thermodynamic property of the ideal gas, and it
is also a function of temperature. Cv is determined experimentally in a constant volume
system.

Cv is defined as the energy required to raise the temperature of a unit mass of a substance
by 1 degree in a constant-volume process.

At constant volume, all the heat added goes to increase the temperature of the gas (i.e.,
increase its internal energy, U). That is why Cv is related to changes in internal energy.
Although the value of Cv is determined experimentally in a constant-volume system, this
equation can be used for ALL processes for an ideal gas:
T2

ΔU = m ∫ Cv dT
T1

This statement is true because a change in internal energy is not path-dependent, but
rather, it depends on the initial and final temperatures only, not on the process involved in
going from one state to another. Before explaining further, let’s take a similar look at the
relation between Cp and enthalpy:
T2

ΔH = m ∫ C p dT
T1

Just like internal energy, enthalpy is a function of temperature only for an ideal gas. Like
Cv, the specific heat at constant pressure (Cp) is a thermodynamic property of the ideal
gas, and it is also a function of temperature. However, Cp is determined experimentally in
a constant-pressure system.
Cp is defined as the energy required to raise the temperature of a unit mass of a substance
by 1 degree in a constant-pressure process.

At constant pressure, some of the energy added goes to

1) increase the temperature of the gas (i.e., increase its internal energy, U)
2) the boundary work performed by the gas as it expands and pushes the piston up
(i.e, PΔV)

Thus the total amount of energy required is Qin = ΔU + P(V2 − V1 )

Given the definition of enthalpy, H = U + PV , we can also write Qin = H 2 − H1 = ΔH

That is why Cp is related to changes in enthalpy. Although the value of Cp is determined

experimentally in a constant-pressure system, this equation can be used for ALL
processes for an ideal gas:
T2

ΔH = m ∫ C p dT
T1
As stated earlier with respect to internal energy, this statement is true because a change in
enthalpy is not path-dependent, but rather, it depends on the initial and final temperatures
only, not on the process involved in going from one state to another.

To explore this concept further, let’s reconsider the constant pressure system.
For the above system, to find the change in INTERNAL ENERGY ONLY, use the value
of Cv for that gas in this equation:
T2

ΔU = m ∫ Cv dT
T1

And for the constant-volume system,

to find the change in ENTHALPY, use the value of Cp for that gas in this equation:

T2

ΔH = m ∫ C p dT
T1

In fact, if you compare two systems (A and B) containing the same ideal gas, but one is at
constant pressure (A) and the other at constant volume (B), and both systems undergo the
same change in temperature from T1 to T2, then the two systems will experience the
exact same change in internal energy and enthalpy (i.e., ΔUA = ΔUB and ΔHA = ΔHB)
since U and H are thermodynamic properties that depend on temperature only, not on the
kind of process involved.

The subscripts in Cp and Cv only describe how the specific heats are determined
experimentally, but do not indicate what kind of processes the equations for internal
energy and enthalpy can be used for.