Abstract
This section attempts to interpret the thermal properties of materials using atomistic concepts. In particular, an interpretation of the experimentally observed molar heat capacity at high temperatures, C v = 25 (J/mol · K) that is, 6 (cal/mol · K), is of interest.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Notes
- 1.
In contrast to classical mechanics, an oscillator cannot completely relinquish all its energy. It keeps, even at the ground state (n = 0), a zero-point energy. Since the ground state still has this zero-point energy of \( \tfrac{1}{2}\,\hbar \omega \), we should, more appropriately, write
$$ {E_n} = n\hbar \omega + \tfrac{1}{2}\,\hbar \omega = \left( {n + \tfrac{1}{2}} \right)\hbar \omega. $$(20.9)The zero-point energy is, however, of no importance for the present considerations.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2011 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Hummel, R.E. (2011). Heat Capacity. In: Electronic Properties of Materials. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-8164-6_20
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-8164-6_20
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY
Print ISBN: 978-1-4419-8163-9
Online ISBN: 978-1-4419-8164-6
eBook Packages: Chemistry and Materials ScienceChemistry and Material Science (R0)