Specific Heat Ratio (γ) / Cp,Cv Lookup mechanism

Model scope

The core γ formula is sound, and the ideal-gas mass-basis R relation is sound under its stated assumptions. Verdict is NEEDS_REVIEW because the specification does not define the table edition, composition, basis, interpolation behavior, valid temperature range, or pressure/phase convention, and its R=Cp−Cv wording is too broad for real-gas thermodynamics.

• γ=Cp/Cv is correct when Cp and Cv use the same basis and units.
• R=Cp−Cv is correct for an ideal gas on a consistent mass basis, but is not generally valid for real gases or arbitrary tabulated thermodynamic states.
• The specification does not define whether lookup values are mass-based or molar-based; the stated R formula requires a consistent basis.
• The temperature-dependent option does not specify interpolation, extrapolation, pressure, phase, or reference-state conventions. Steam especially requires pressure/phase qualification.
• The claim of providing properties for common gases is under-specified because no actual table version, gas composition, or reference conditions are identified.

Units and conventions

• Test-vector Cp, Cv, and R values are mass-specific in J/(kg·K).
• Temperature values used for lookup are absolute kelvin unless an input explicitly carries a Celsius unit.
• γ is dimensionless.
• The tabulated values represent ideal-gas reference values; pressure dependence is ignored.
• For the interpolation vector, linear interpolation in temperature is assumed only between the explicitly supplied bracketing rows.

Inspectable vector

One of 4 source-bound review vectors:

{
  "inputs": {
    "gas": "dry air",
    "temperature_K": 300
  },
  "expected_outputs": {
    "Cp_J_per_kg_K": 1005,
    "Cv_J_per_kg_K": 718,
    "gamma": 1.3997214485,
    "R_J_per_kg_K": 287
  },
  "reference_data": {
    "table_row": {
      "temperature_K": 300,
      "Cp_J_per_kg_K": 1005,
      "Cv_J_per_kg_K": 718,
      "R_J_per_kg_K": 287,
      "source_convention": "Widely tabulated standard ideal-dry-air value; textbook/CRC convention"
    }
  },
  "working": "γ = Cp/Cv = 1005/718 = 1.3997214485. R = Cp − Cv = 1005 − 718 = 287 J/(kg·K). The R = 287 J/(kg·K) dry-air value is the standard memorized reference value."
}

Failure boundary

BREAK_CLAIMED · SELF_FLAGGED

The specification does not define table-validity limits, a temperature-branch threshold, or the Cp/Cv unit basis. An implementation could accept 0 K or extreme temperatures, silently extrapolate, reuse reference values across a temperature branch, or report mass-specific values with molar units.

Other records

Sources and evidence

These pointers bind the page to evidence. They do not grant authority or collapse verification into deployment.

• VERIFIED_LEDGER.json
• evidence-tranche7/tranche7-results.json
• BOUNDARY_HAZARD_CATALOG.json