1. What is Specific Volume?

Specific volume (v) is the volume occupied by a unit mass of a material. It's the reciprocal of density and is an important property in thermodynamics and fluid mechanics, particularly for water flow calculations.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the specific volume equation:

Where:

• \( v \) — Specific volume (m³/kg)
• \( \text{flow\_rate} \) — Volumetric flow rate (m³/s)
• \( \text{mass\_flow\_rate} \) — Mass flow rate (kg/s)

Explanation: The equation calculates how much volume a kilogram of the substance occupies based on the relationship between its flow rate and mass flow rate.

3. Importance of Specific Volume Calculation

Details: Specific volume is crucial in designing and analyzing systems involving fluid flow, such as pipelines, heat exchangers, and power plants. It helps determine storage requirements and flow characteristics.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter flow rate in m³/s and mass flow rate in kg/s. Both values must be positive numbers. The calculator will compute the specific volume in m³/kg.

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 for water?
A: For liquid water at room temperature, specific volume is approximately 0.001 m³/kg. For steam, it can be much higher depending on pressure and temperature.

Q3: How does temperature affect specific volume?
A: Generally, specific volume increases with temperature as most substances expand when heated (except for water between 0-4°C).

Q4: Can this calculator be used for substances other than water?
A: Yes, the basic equation applies to any substance, but the interpretation of results should consider the material's properties.

Q5: What are the limitations of this calculation?
A: This simple calculation assumes constant density. For precise work with compressible fluids or varying temperatures, more complex equations may be needed.