The ratio of the specific heats Cₚ/Cᵥ = γ in terms of the degrees of freedom (n) is given by:
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The ratio of the specific heats Cₚ/Cᵥ = γ in terms of the degrees of freedom (n) is given by:

G1 Physics · Accepted Answer

Step 1: Equipartition gives molar Cᵥ = (n/2)R for n active degrees of freedom. Step 2: Mayer’s relation gives Cₚ − Cᵥ = R. Step 3: Cₚ = [(n/2) + 1]R. Step 4: γ = Cₚ/Cᵥ = [(n/2) + 1]/(n/2) = 1 + 2/n. Final answer: (C).