What is heat capacity? Explain how heat capacity can be thought of as an energy

Question

What is heat capacity? Explain how heat capacity can be thought of as an energy capacity. What is the significance of the First Law of Thermodynamics? Explain your reasoning. Consider a cyclic process for a gas where the pressure varies during the process but returns to its original state at the end. Would it be correct to write Delta H = q_p? Explain your reasoning. A piece of sodium metal is added to a volume of water. The products of the reaction are aqueous sodium hydroxide and hydrogen gas. Predict the signs of w, q, Delta U, and, Delta H.

Explanation / Answer

1. Heat capacity is defined as amount of heat required to increase temperature by unity.

Higher the heat capacity more is the energy required to increase its temperature so it may also be called as energy capacity. Heat is a form of energy too due to temperature difference.

2. Ist law of thermodynamics is based on law of conservation of energy i.e energy can neither be created nor be destroyed but can be converted from one form to other form.

Mathematically

U=Change in internal energy=heat(q)+work(w)

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