Specific volume can be described using which of the following units?

Specific volume is defined as the volume occupied by a unit mass of substance. It is an important concept in thermodynamics and HVAC applications, as it helps in understanding the behavior of gases and liquids under various conditions. The correct unit for specific volume is cubic feet per pound, as it directly relates to the volume that one pound of a substance occupies.

This unit effectively communicates the idea that if you have one pound of a material, its specific volume will tell you how many cubic feet of space that pound will fill. This measurement is particularly useful in calculating the performance of HVAC systems, as it allows for efficient design and analysis of fluid flow and heat transfer.

The other choices do not accurately represent specific volume. For instance, cubic inches per pound is a valid measurement but is not commonly used in HVAC applications where the standard unit is cubic feet per pound. Gallons per cubic foot suggests a measure of density or volume without the specific focus on mass, which is not applicable when discussing specific volume. Pounds per cubic foot is a density measurement rather than a specific volume measurement, as it relates mass to volume rather than the volume occupied by a unit mass.