EngiRef / Thermodynamics Engineering Formula

Specific Heat Ratio

Specific Heat Ratio: Ratio of specific heats at constant pressure to volume. A Laws formula in thermodynamics engineering. Variables γ, cₚ and cᵥ, each with SI…

Laws

Specification

Name
Specific Heat Ratio
Discipline
thermodynamics
Category
Laws
LaTeX
\gamma = \frac{c_p}{c_v}
Description
Ratio of specific heats at constant pressure to volume
Conditions
γ ≈ 1.4 for air at standard conditions
Can solve for
γ, cₚ, cᵥ
Tags
specific, heat, ratio, gamma, adiabatic

Variables

Variables for Specific Heat Ratio
SymbolNameUnitSi Unit
γSpecific Heat Ratio - -
cₚSpecific Heat at Constant PressureJ/(kg·K)J/(kg·K)
cᵥSpecific Heat at Constant VolumeJ/(kg·K)J/(kg·K)

Common questions

What is the Specific Heat Ratio formula?
Ratio of specific heats at constant pressure to volume. It sits under Laws, Thermo engineering in the EngiRef reference.
What do the symbols in the Specific Heat Ratio formula mean?
In Specific Heat Ratio, γ is specific heat ratio; cₚ is specific heat at constant pressure in J/(kg·K); cᵥ is specific heat at constant volume in J/(kg·K).
When does the Specific Heat Ratio formula apply?
Specific Heat Ratio holds under this condition: γ ≈ 1.4 for air at standard conditions.