Question

The molar heat capacity $C_m$ of an ideal gas:

• A. Cannot be negative
• B. must be equal to $C_p$ or $C_v$
• C. must lie in the range $C_v<C<C_p$
• D. must have any value between $0$ to $+\infty$

Answer 1

The correct option is D must have any value between $0$ to $+\infty$

Molar heat capacity is given as:
$C_m$ =$\frac{1}{n}$$\frac{dq}{dT}$

Now, the value of $dq$ and $dT$ can depends on the type of process and so, $C_m$ can take any value ranges from $0$ to $+\infty$.

Note: Only astronomical systems such as black holes display negative specific heat which are out of scope of this curriculum.