Verified Solution Physics Units and Measurements

What are the dimensions of the ratio of specific heat capacity to molar heat capacity?

2 views 0 helpful Updated Jul 13, 2026
Solution ✔ Verified
  • A[M L² T^-2 mol^-1]
  • B[mol^-1]
  • C[M]
  • D[M mol^-1]
Explanation

Specific heat capacity (c) is energy per unit mass per unit temperature = [M L² T^-2] / ([M K]) = [L² T^-2 K^-1]. Molar heat capacity (C) is energy per mole per unit temperature = [M L² T^-2] / ([mol K]) = [M L² T^-2 K^-1 mol^-1]. Ratio c/C = ([L² T^-2 K^-1]) / ([M L² T^-2 K^-1 mol^-1]) = [M^-1 mol]. This is not an option. Let me recheck standard definitions. Specific heat capacity has units J kg^-1 K^-1. Molar heat capacity has units J mol^-1 K^-1. Ratio = (J kg^-1 K^-1) / (J mol^-1 K^-1) = kg^-1 / mol^-1 = mol / kg = [mol M^-1]. So the dimensions are [M^-1 mol]. This is not in the options directly. Let's re-examine. Option D: [M mol^-1]. This is (kg/mol). My calculated is (mol/kg). This again suggests an issue. Let's check the reciprocal ratio: Molar Heat Capacity / Specific Heat Capacity. C/c = [M L² T^-2 K^-1 mol^-1] / [L² T^-2 K^-1] = [M mol^-1]. This IS option D. So the question probably meant the ratio of Molar Heat Capacity to Specific Heat Capacity. I will assume the question intended for C/c, or that the options represent it.

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