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Thermodynamic property; intensive vs extensive
Short answer
A thermodynamic property is a state-dependent, path-independent measurable characteristic. Intensive properties (pressure, temperature, density) are mass-independent; extensive properties (volume, total energy) are additive and mass-dependent. Specific volume (extensive per unit mass) becomes intensive.
Define thermodynamic property. Differentiate between intensive and extensive properties with examples.
Thermodynamic property
A thermodynamic property is any measurable characteristic of a system that describes its state and does not depend on the path or history by which the state was reached. Its change depends only on the initial and final states. Examples: pressure, temperature, volume, internal energy, enthalpy, entropy.
Intensive vs extensive properties
| Basis | Intensive property | Extensive property |
|---|---|---|
| Dependence on mass | Independent of mass/size of the system | Depends on mass/size of the system |
| If the system is divided | Value stays the same in each part | Value divides in proportion to mass |
| Additive? | No | Yes, total = sum of parts |
| Examples | Pressure, temperature, density, specific volume | Volume, mass, total energy, enthalpy, entropy |
Example: 2 kg of water at 30 °C and 100 kPa is divided into two 1 kg parts. Temperature (30 °C) and pressure (100 kPa) remain the same in each part (intensive), but mass and volume are halved (extensive).
An extensive property per unit mass becomes an intensive property, e.g. specific volume v = V/m.
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