1. What is Specific Volume?

Specific volume is defined as the volume occupied by a unit mass of a substance. It is the reciprocal of density and is an important property in thermodynamics and fluid mechanics.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the specific volume formula:

Where:

• \( v \) — Specific volume (m³/kg)
• \( \rho \) — Density (kg/m³)

Explanation: The specific volume is simply the inverse of the density, representing how much volume one kilogram of a substance occupies.

3. Importance of Specific Volume Calculation

Details: Specific volume is crucial in thermodynamics for calculating work done in expansion/compression processes, analyzing phase changes, and solving problems involving ideal gases and real substances.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter density in kg/m³. The value must be greater than zero. The calculator will compute the corresponding specific volume in m³/kg.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What are typical specific volume values for common substances?
A: Air at room temperature: ~0.83 m³/kg, Water: ~0.001 m³/kg, Steam: varies greatly with pressure and temperature.

Q2: How does specific volume relate to molar volume?
A: Molar volume is the volume occupied by one mole of a substance, while specific volume is per unit mass. They are related through the molecular weight.

Q3: Why is specific volume important in engineering?
A: It's essential for designing systems involving fluids, calculating flow rates, determining pump and compressor sizes, and analyzing thermodynamic cycles.

Q4: How does temperature affect specific volume?
A: For most substances, specific volume increases with temperature (expansion) when pressure is constant, except for water between 0-4°C.

Q5: What's the difference between specific volume and volume?
A: Volume is an extensive property (depends on mass), while specific volume is an intensive property (independent of mass).