Extensive Property vs. Intensive Property

Attribute	Extensive Property	Intensive Property
Definition	Depends on the amount of the substance present	Does not depend on the amount of the substance present
Examples	Mass, volume, energy	Temperature, density, pressure
Additivity	Can be added together for a system	Cannot be added together for a system
Extensive Property	Increases with the size or amount of the system	Remains constant regardless of the size or amount of the system

Definition

Extensive properties and intensive properties are two categories used to describe physical properties of matter. Extensive properties depend on the amount of substance present, while intensive properties do not. This fundamental difference is key to understanding the distinctions between the two types of properties.

Examples of Extensive Properties

Examples of extensive properties include mass, volume, and energy. These properties change as the amount of substance changes. For example, if you have two identical blocks of wood, the total mass of the two blocks will be twice the mass of one block. Similarly, the total volume of the two blocks will be twice the volume of one block.

Examples of Intensive Properties

Examples of intensive properties include density, temperature, and color. These properties do not change with the amount of substance present. For example, the density of a substance remains the same regardless of the quantity of the substance. Similarly, the temperature of a substance does not depend on the amount of the substance present.

Measurement

Extensive properties are typically measured by adding up the individual contributions from each part of the system. For example, to measure the total mass of a system, you would add up the masses of each individual component. In contrast, intensive properties are usually measured by taking a single measurement of the entire system. For example, to measure the temperature of a system, you would use a thermometer to take a single reading.

Relationship to Size

Extensive properties are directly related to the size or amount of the system. As the size of the system increases, the value of the extensive property also increases. For example, if you double the size of a system, the mass of the system will also double. In contrast, intensive properties are independent of the size of the system. The value of an intensive property remains the same regardless of the size of the system.

Physical Interpretation

Extensive properties are often associated with the total amount of a substance present in a system. For example, the total mass of a system is a measure of the amount of matter in the system. Intensive properties, on the other hand, are often associated with the quality or nature of a substance. For example, the density of a substance is a measure of how tightly packed the particles are in the substance.

Use in Chemistry

In chemistry, extensive properties are often used to describe the amount of a substance present in a reaction. For example, the total mass of reactants and products in a chemical reaction is an extensive property. Intensive properties, on the other hand, are often used to describe the characteristics of a substance. For example, the boiling point of a substance is an intensive property that remains constant regardless of the amount of the substance present.

Conclusion

In conclusion, extensive properties and intensive properties are two important categories used to describe physical properties of matter. Extensive properties depend on the amount of substance present, while intensive properties do not. Understanding the differences between these two types of properties is essential for accurately describing and analyzing physical systems.