 Heat capacity at constant volume

For a fixed-composition closed system, the heat capacity at fixed volume is $C_V=(\partial U/\partial T{)}_V$, with internal energy $U$. Under the quasistatic process assumptions in heat capacity, only pressure-volume work is permitted, so $dV=0$ gives $\delta Q=dU=C_{V}dT$. A rigid vessel therefore needs $Q=\Delta U$, or $Q=C_V\Delta T$ when $C_V$ is constant. Its per-unit-mass counterpart is specific heat capacity at constant volume.