In thermodynamics, is specifc heat capacity of a substance considered a state function or a path 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.
:-
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 gram of a substance by .
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.
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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.
Why is it that when water is poured inside a rubber kettle and it put on top fire it does not melt?
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
What is the specific heat capacity of water?
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4.2 J/g°C