1. What is Specific Volume?

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

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the specific volume equation:

Where:

• \( v \) — Specific volume (m³/kg)
• \( V \) — Total volume (m³)
• \( m \) — Mass (kg)

Explanation: The equation shows that specific volume is simply the ratio of volume to mass for a substance.

3. Importance of Specific Volume

Details: Specific volume is crucial in thermodynamics for analyzing gas and vapor properties, designing HVAC systems, and calculating work in thermodynamic processes.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter volume in cubic meters (m³) and mass in kilograms (kg). All values must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What's the difference between specific volume and density?
A: Specific volume is the reciprocal of density. While density is mass per unit volume, specific volume is volume per unit mass.

Q2: What are typical specific volume values?
A: For water at room temperature, it's about 0.001 m³/kg. For air at standard conditions, it's about 0.833 m³/kg.

Q3: Why use specific volume instead of density?
A: In thermodynamics, specific volume is often more convenient when working with gas laws and equations of state.

Q4: Does specific volume change with temperature and pressure?
A: Yes, especially for gases. Specific volume increases with temperature and decreases with pressure.

Q5: How is specific volume used in engineering?
A: It's used in designing compressors, turbines, refrigeration systems, and analyzing thermodynamic cycles.