A monatomic gas has a molar specific heat at constant pressure of 20.8 J mol⁻¹ K⁻¹. What is the value of C_v?
**Equipartition theorem** energy ½ k_B T per degree of freedom per molecule, f degrees give U = f/2 k_B T per molecule, f/2 R T per mole, internal energy function of T only for ideal gas, no intermolecular potential. For an ideal gas: C_p - C_v = R, where R = 8.31 J mol⁻¹ K⁻¹.C_v = C_p - R = 20.8 - 8.31 = 12.49 J mol⁻¹ K⁻¹ ≈ 12.5 J mol⁻¹ K⁻¹ . Substituting values gives 12.5 J mol⁻¹ K⁻¹, which matches expected kinetic theory result, confirming mean free path λ = 1/(√2 n π d²), ideal gas law P V = n R
Ref: NCERT > Physics Book > Behaviour of Perfect Gas and Kinetic Theory > Internal Energy of Ideal Gases