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 formula calculates the volume per unit mass by taking the reciprocal of the density value.

3. Importance of Specific Volume Calculation

Details: Specific volume is crucial in thermodynamics for analyzing gas and vapor properties, in engineering for designing systems that handle fluids, and in various scientific applications where mass-volume relationships are important.

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 common units for specific volume?
A: The SI unit is m³/kg, but other units like ft³/lb or cm³/g are also used depending on the application.

Q2: How does specific volume relate to density?
A: Specific volume is the reciprocal of density. If you know one, you can calculate the other.

Q3: Why is specific volume important in thermodynamics?
A: It's a fundamental property used in equations of state and helps characterize substances, especially gases and vapors.

Q4: Can specific volume be applied to all states of matter?
A: Yes, it applies to solids, liquids, and gases, though it's most commonly used for gases where volume changes significantly with pressure and temperature.

Q5: How does temperature affect specific volume?
A: For gases, specific volume increases with temperature (at constant pressure). For most liquids and solids, the change is much smaller.