Classify Each Property As Intensive Or Extensive

Hannah Arendt

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29-11-2024

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In chemistry and physics, properties of matter are broadly classified as either intensive or extensive. Understanding this distinction is crucial for accurately describing and analyzing substances. This article will clarify the difference and provide examples of each.

Intensive Properties: Independent of Amount

Intensive properties are those that do not depend on the amount of matter present. The value remains constant regardless of whether you have a small sample or a large quantity. Think of them as inherent qualities of the substance itself.

Examples of Intensive Properties:

• Temperature: The temperature of a cup of water is the same as the temperature of a swimming pool full of water, assuming they are at thermal equilibrium.
• Density: Density (mass/volume) is a characteristic ratio; a gram of gold has the same density as a kilogram of gold.
• Melting point: The temperature at which a substance melts is independent of the mass of the substance.
• Boiling point: Similar to melting point, the boiling point remains consistent regardless of quantity.
• Color: The color of a substance does not change based on the amount.
• Hardness: The hardness of a diamond, for example, remains constant regardless of its size.
• Refractive index: This optical property is independent of sample size.
• Specific heat capacity: The amount of heat required to raise the temperature of one gram of a substance by one degree Celsius.

Extensive Properties: Dependent on Amount

Extensive properties, in contrast, do depend on the amount of matter present. Their values scale proportionally with the size or mass of the sample.

Examples of Extensive Properties:

• Mass: A kilogram of iron has a greater mass than a gram of iron.
• Volume: The volume occupied by a substance is directly related to its amount.
• Length: The length of an object changes with its size.
• Heat capacity: The total amount of heat required to raise the temperature of an object by a certain amount is dependent on the object's mass.
• Energy: The total energy contained within a system is proportional to its size.

Distinguishing Between Intensive and Extensive Properties

The key difference lies in whether the property changes when you divide the sample in half. If the property remains the same (e.g., temperature), it's intensive. If the property is halved (e.g., mass), it's extensive.

Understanding this classification is essential in various scientific fields, from chemistry and physics to materials science and engineering. It allows for a more precise and meaningful description of matter and its behavior.