Question
Define and give an example of extensive and intensive properties.
Answers
GPT-4o mini
Extensive and intensive properties are classifications used to describe the characteristics of materials in thermodynamics and physical chemistry.
### Extensive Properties:
Extensive properties depend on the amount of substance present. They change when the size of the system changes, meaning if you have more of the substance, the property will be greater, and if you have less, it will be smaller.
**Example:**
- **Mass:** The mass of a substance is extensive. If you have 2 kg of water and then you separate it into two portions of 1 kg each, the mass of each portion remains 1 kg, and the total mass is still 2 kg.
### Intensive Properties:
Intensive properties do not depend on the amount of substance present. These properties remain the same regardless of the amount of material in a system.
**Example:**
- **Temperature:** The temperature of a substance is intensive. If you have a 5-liter container of water at 25 degrees Celsius and you take out 1 liter of water, the temperature of that 1 liter is still 25 degrees Celsius, and the temperature of the remaining 4 liters remains unchanged at 25 degrees Celsius.
In summary, extensive properties vary with the amount of substance, while intensive properties remain constant regardless of the quantity.
### Extensive Properties:
Extensive properties depend on the amount of substance present. They change when the size of the system changes, meaning if you have more of the substance, the property will be greater, and if you have less, it will be smaller.
**Example:**
- **Mass:** The mass of a substance is extensive. If you have 2 kg of water and then you separate it into two portions of 1 kg each, the mass of each portion remains 1 kg, and the total mass is still 2 kg.
### Intensive Properties:
Intensive properties do not depend on the amount of substance present. These properties remain the same regardless of the amount of material in a system.
**Example:**
- **Temperature:** The temperature of a substance is intensive. If you have a 5-liter container of water at 25 degrees Celsius and you take out 1 liter of water, the temperature of that 1 liter is still 25 degrees Celsius, and the temperature of the remaining 4 liters remains unchanged at 25 degrees Celsius.
In summary, extensive properties vary with the amount of substance, while intensive properties remain constant regardless of the quantity.