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QPage 76: Q3: HC Verma: Concepts of Physics - Volume 2 Specific Heat Capacities of Gases Page 76: Q3 Solution: Can we define specific heat capacity for an adiabatic process?

⚠️ Common Exam Traps & Conceptual Pitfalls

Students often insert $\Delta Q=0$ into $c=\frac{1}{m}\frac{\Delta Q}{\Delta T}$ and conclude $c=0$, overlooking that specific heat is defined only for processes where heat is actually transferred (e.g., at constant $p$ or $V$); for a true adiabatic path $dQ=0$ while $dT\neq0$, so $dQ/dT$ is not a meaningful quantity and the notion of a specific heat capacity does not apply.

Can we define specific heat capacity for an adiabatic process?

Step-by-Step Verified Solution

**Answer:** Yes, we can define specific heat capacity for an adiabatic process, and it is zero. **Step-by-Step Explanation:** In an adiabatic process, no heat is exchanged: ΔQ=0\Delta Q = 0. Therefore s=1mΔQΔT=0s = \frac{1}{m}\frac{\Delta Q}{\Delta T} = 0 [citation:2].

All Questions in this Chapter

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