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's 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 increases with increasing volume and decreases with increasing mass.

3. Importance of Specific Volume

Details: Specific volume is crucial in thermodynamics for analyzing gas and vapor properties, calculating work in thermodynamic processes, and determining phase changes in substances.

4. Using the Calculator

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

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 4°C: ~0.001 m³/kg; for air at room temperature: ~0.833 m³/kg; for steam at 100°C: ~1.673 m³/kg.

Q3: Why use specific volume instead of density?
A: In thermodynamics, specific volume is often more convenient when dealing with gas expansions and compressions where volume changes significantly.

Q4: How does temperature affect specific volume?
A: For gases, specific volume increases with temperature (at constant pressure). For liquids, the effect is much smaller.

Q5: Can specific volume be used for all states of matter?
A: Yes, it applies to solids, liquids, and gases, though it's most commonly used for gases and vapors in thermodynamic calculations.