JEE Main 2017 Physics question

An ideal gas has molecules with degrees of freedom. The ratio of specific heats at constant pressure () and at constant volume () is:

Answer: (1)

Solution

By the equipartition theorem, a molecule with quadratic degrees of freedom contributes of energy, so the molar heat capacity at constant volume is

= f2 R = 52 R (f = 5).

Mayer's relation then gives

= + R = 52R + R = 72R.

Therefore

γ = = {7R

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Question ID VK-115774