1. What is Specific Volume?

Definition: Specific volume is the volume occupied by a unit mass of a material, the reciprocal of density.

Purpose: It's commonly used in thermodynamics and fluid mechanics to describe material properties.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

Where:

• \( v \) — Specific volume (m³/kg)
• \( \rho \) — Density (kg/m³)

Explanation: The calculator simply takes the reciprocal of the input density to find the volume per unit mass.

3. Importance of Specific Volume

Details: Specific volume is crucial for calculating work in thermodynamic systems, analyzing fluid flow, and designing mechanical systems.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the material density in kg/m³. The value must be greater than 0.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What's the difference between volume and specific volume?
A: Volume is total space occupied, while specific volume is volume per unit mass (volume/mass).

Q2: What are typical specific volume values?
A: For water at 4°C: ~0.001 m³/kg; for air at 20°C: ~0.833 m³/kg.

Q3: Can specific volume be zero?
A: No, as density cannot be infinite, specific volume always has a positive value.

Q4: How is specific volume used in thermodynamics?
A: It's used in equations of state and to calculate work done by expanding gases.

Q5: What units are used for specific volume?
A: The SI unit is m³/kg, but ft³/lb is also used in some systems.