Entropy from the heat capacity 4.4


The change in molar entropy of a sample with temperature may be determined from the temperature dependence of the molar heat capacity, Cm. The procedure involves plotting Cm / T against T and determining the area under the curve. The molar heat capacity of all solids decreases towards zero as the temperature is reduced.

We suppose that the measurements are conducted under constant pressure and that the sample does not undergo a phase transition. The change in molar entropy between two temperatures is then

We write the temperature dependence of the constant-pressure molar heat capacity

Where Cp,m is molar heat capacity (J K-1 mol-1), T is the temperature (kelvin), and a, b, and c are empirical parameters.

To graph molar heat capacity (and the change in molar entropy) enter the parameters (i.e., a, b, c) and hit New Plot. Up to 5 plots can be displayed at one time. The Clear button will remove all plots. To see the parameters for each plot hit the Legend on/off button. The Redraw button will refresh the graph. This is useful when the function domain (i.e., T ) has been changed. To see the value of each plot at a given point, move your cursor to the desired location then click and hold. Toggle between a plot of C against T or C/T against T or the integral of C/T by clicking its radio button.