Chemical Engineering Basics

Q1: Specific heat of an ideal gas depends upon its

A molecular weight

B pressure

C temperature

D volume

ANS:C - temperature

Temperature is a measure of the average kinetic energy of the particles in a substance. It is one of the most fundamental and widely used concepts in physics and plays a crucial role in various scientific disciplines. Here's a detailed explanation of temperature:

  1. Definition:
    • Temperature is a scalar quantity that quantifies the hotness or coldness of a substance. It reflects the degree of thermal agitation or motion of particles in a material.
    • The International System of Units (SI) defines temperature in terms of the Kelvin scale (K), where the zero point corresponds to absolute zero, the lowest possible temperature at which particles have minimal thermal motion.
  2. Thermal Kinetic Energy:
    • Temperature is related to the average kinetic energy of the particles in a substance. In a gas, for example, temperature is directly proportional to the average translational kinetic energy of the gas molecules.
    • At higher temperatures, particles possess greater kinetic energy and move more rapidly, while at lower temperatures, they have less kinetic energy and move more slowly.
  3. Measurement:
    • Temperature can be measured using various temperature scales, including Celsius (°C), Fahrenheit (°F), and Kelvin (K). Each scale has different reference points and units of measurement.
    • The Celsius scale is based on the freezing point (0°C) and boiling point (100°C) of water at standard atmospheric pressure. The Fahrenheit scale uses different reference points but is still commonly used in some countries.
    • The Kelvin scale, often used in scientific contexts, is based on absolute zero (0 K) and has a unit increment equal in size to the Celsius degree.
  4. Effects of Temperature:
    • Temperature influences many physical and chemical properties of materials, including volume, density, pressure, electrical conductivity, and the rate of chemical reactions.
    • Changes in temperature can lead to phase transitions such as melting, freezing, vaporization, and condensation, as well as changes in the state of matter (solid, liquid, gas).
  5. Thermodynamics:
    • Temperature is a fundamental concept in thermodynamics, which studies the relationships between heat, work, and energy transfer.
    • The zeroth law of thermodynamics states that if two systems are in thermal equilibrium with a third system, they are in thermal equilibrium with each other. This principle allows temperature to be defined and compared.
  6. Control and Regulation:
    • Temperature control and regulation are essential in various applications, including heating and cooling systems, industrial processes, environmental control, and scientific experiments.
    • Devices such as thermometers, thermostats, and temperature sensors are used to measure and control temperature accurately in different settings.
In summary, temperature is a measure of the average kinetic energy of particles in a substance and plays a fundamental role in physics, chemistry, engineering, and everyday life. It influences a wide range of physical and chemical phenomena and is essential for understanding and controlling the behavior of matter under different conditions.



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