Ratio of CP,m/CV,m

• The ratio of CP,m / CV,m is called the ratio of principle

molar heat capacities and is given by the symbol

• The values of CP,m, CV,m, and R are close to the ideal

gas predictions. However, in some diatomic and in most
polyatomic gases, the value are larger because the ideal
gas model is not fully applicable to polyatomic gases
Ratio of CP,m/CV,m
• One mole of ideal gas with f degrees of freedom at
thermodynamic temperature T has internal energy
given by
•

• For an ideal gas heated at constant volume,

Ratio of CP,m/CV,m
• As T 0 From CP,m – CV,m = R

  𝑓
𝑈 = 𝑅𝑇
2

(1) (2)

Equations (1) and (2) show that CP,m and CV,m depend
on the degrees of freedom f of the molecules.
Ratio of CP,m/CV,m
• Using
Ratio of CP,m/CV,m

  =
Example
Solution