Question #962b9

1 Answer
Apr 20, 2016

The material/substance property that doesn't depend on mass is the specific heat capacity #c_p#. The "case-specific" heat capacity #C# depends on the mass #m# and the two are linked:

#c_p=C/m#

Explanation:

When one refers to this value, he usually refers to the specific heat capacity, since it's a way of measuring how much heat "fits" in a mass, so it's more like a substance property than a certain situation. The known equation that gives heat #Q#

#Q=m*c_p*ΔT#

shows that heat depends on mass. However, reversing the equation, one can obtain:

#c_p=Q/(m*ΔT)#

while the equation is true, to say that #c_p# depends on mass one must ensure that all other values are held constant.

The heat capacity of a system however, doesn't actually give attention to the mass, yielding:

#Q=C*ΔT#

Where if one wants to link the specific capacity to the mass must take note that:

#c_p=C/m#

This holds true for many thermodynamic properties and the specific values are used most of the time. Examples are:

Enthalpy #H-># Specific enthalpy #h=H/m#

Entropy #S-># Specific entropy #s=S/m#

Volume #V-># Specific volume #υ=V/m#