using ratios for R

[LBacker_2E]

I think I understand when to use the ratios for R in terms of when to plug it into my calculations, but what is the point of them and what do they mean?

[haileyramsey-1c]

The R value allows for Cp to be related to Cv since they are not the same values. But, for ideal gases if you know one value you can determine the other using the R value ratios.

[Amanda Mei 1B]

I believe you also use ratios for R to get everything to have the same units. You can use the ratios of R because they would cancel out (like multiplying by a fraction that equals 1).

[Connie Chen 1E]

To add on, heat capacities vary depending on molecular properties. So depending on the type of molecule (i.e. monatomic gas or linear molecule), there will be different properties to account for and thus different ratios to use, as derived through various formulas.