The Specific Heat of a Polyatomic Gas Is Greater Than

Multiple Choice

The specific heat of a polyatomic gas is greater than the specific heat of a monatomic gas because:

A) the polyatomic gas does more positive work when energy is absorbed as heat
B) the monatomic gas does more positive work when energy is absorbed as heat
C) the energy absorbed by the polyatomic gas is split among more degrees of freedom
D) the pressure is greater in the diatomic gas
E) a monatomic gas cannot hold as much heat