Is specific heat capacity state function or a path function?

In thermodynamics, is specifc heat capacity of a substance considered a state function or a path function?

Rebuttal in favour of state function\color{#D61F06}{\text{Rebuttal in favour of state function}}:-
Specific heat capacity is constant for a particular substance at a particular physical state and remains invariant until transition state (melting, evaporating, etc) is achieved.

Rebuttal in favour of path function\color{#3D99F6}{\text{Rebuttal in favour of path function}}:-
Any type of heat is a path function and extensive property because it depends on path followed by system like flow of heat is unidirectional in nature spontaneously as it flows from high temperatures to low temperatures.

Definitions used:-

  • Specific heat capacity of a substance is the heat required to raise the temperature of 11 gram of a substance by 1K1 K.

  • State function is a thermodynamic function which is independent of the path taken anddepends only on the initial and final values . For example, displacement.

  • Path function is a thermodynamic function which is dependent of the path taken. For example, distance travelled.

#Mechanics

Note by Ashish Menon
4 years, 3 months ago

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Comments

We just have to raise the temperature by 1 degrees and it can be done by many ways. So, according to me ,specific heat capacity is a state function.

Kaushik Chandra - 3 years, 9 months ago

Why is it that when water is poured inside a rubber kettle and it put on top fire it does not melt?

Yusuf Saad - 3 years, 4 months ago

Specific heat capacity is a path function Only after fixing the path(process) (Specific heat capacity for a "particular " process/path) does it become a state function like Cp,Cv etc

Suhas Sheikh - 2 years, 10 months ago

What is the specific heat capacity of water?

Yusuf Saad - 3 years, 4 months ago

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4.2 J/g°C

Ashish Menon - 3 years, 4 months ago
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