Which One Of The Following Is An Intensive Property

Which One of the Following is an Intensive Property? Understanding Intensive vs. Extensive Properties

Understanding the difference between intensive and extensive properties is crucial in various fields, including chemistry, physics, and engineering. This article delves deep into the concept, clarifying the distinction and providing numerous examples to solidify your understanding. We'll explore what makes a property intensive, contrasting it with extensive properties, and finally, tackle the question of identifying intensive properties within a given set.

Intensive Properties: Definition and Characteristics

An intensive property is a physical property of a system that does not depend on the system's size or the amount of material present. In simpler terms, it's a characteristic that remains the same regardless of whether you have a small sample or a large quantity of the substance. This independence from the amount of matter is the key defining feature.

Here's a breakdown of the characteristics of intensive properties:

• Independent of System Size: This is the cornerstone of intensive properties. Whether you have a single drop of water or a swimming pool, the water's density remains the same.
• Intrinsic to the Material: Intensive properties are inherent characteristics of the substance itself, reflecting its internal structure and composition.
• Useful for Identification: Many intensive properties are used to identify and distinguish different substances. For example, the boiling point of water helps us identify it as water, regardless of the quantity.
• Uniform Throughout the System: In a homogeneous system (a system with uniform composition), intensive properties are uniform throughout.

Extensive Properties: A Necessary Contrast

To fully grasp intensive properties, we need to understand their counterpart: extensive properties. Extensive properties are dependent on the amount of matter present. If you double the amount of substance, you double the value of the extensive property.

Here's a comparison table highlighting the key differences:

Common Examples of Intensive Properties

Let's explore some common examples of intensive properties across various disciplines:

In Chemistry and Physics:

• Density: The ratio of mass to volume (mass/volume). A small sample of gold and a large gold bar have the same density.
• Temperature: A measure of the average kinetic energy of the particles in a system. A cup of hot coffee and a bathtub of hot coffee have the same temperature (assuming they are both at the same temperature).
• Pressure: Force exerted per unit area. The pressure inside a small balloon and a large balloon can be the same.
• Boiling Point: The temperature at which a liquid changes to a gas at a given pressure. A small amount of water boils at the same temperature as a large amount of water at the same pressure.
• Melting Point: The temperature at which a solid changes to a liquid. Similar to boiling point, it's independent of the amount of substance.
• Refractive Index: A measure of how much a material bends light. This property is characteristic of the material regardless of the quantity.
• Specific Heat Capacity: The amount of heat required to raise the temperature of 1 gram of a substance by 1 degree Celsius. It's intrinsic to the material.
• Viscosity: A measure of a fluid's resistance to flow. The viscosity of honey, for instance, is the same regardless of the amount.
• Color: The color of a substance is an intensive property as it does not change with the amount.

In Other Fields:

• Hardness: A material's resistance to scratching or indentation. A small diamond and a large diamond have the same hardness.
• Concentration: The amount of solute dissolved in a given amount of solvent (e.g., molarity, molality). This remains constant irrespective of the total solution volume.
• Smell/Odor: The characteristic scent of a substance is an intensive property. The intensity of the smell may differ but the quality of the odor remains the same.
• Taste: Similar to smell, taste is intrinsic to the substance. A small amount of sugar and a large amount of sugar will taste the same (assuming both are of the same purity).

Distinguishing Intensive from Extensive Properties: Practical Examples

Let's solidify our understanding with some practical examples:

Scenario 1:

You have two beakers. Beaker A contains 100 ml of water, and Beaker B contains 500 ml of water.

• Extensive Properties: The volume of water differs (100 ml vs. 500 ml), and the mass of water will also differ proportionally.
• Intensive Properties: The density, temperature, and boiling point of the water are the same in both beakers (assuming both are at the same temperature and pressure).

Scenario 2:

You have a gold coin and a gold bar.

• Extensive Properties: The mass and volume of the gold are different.
• Intensive Properties: The density, melting point, and color of the gold are identical.

Scenario 3:

Consider a gas sample in a container. You increase the size of the container, allowing the gas to expand.

• Extensive Properties: The volume of the gas increases. The total amount of energy in the system might increase (depending on whether the process is isothermal or adiabatic).
• Intensive Properties: The temperature and pressure of the gas might change (depending on the conditions), but properties like the molar mass and specific heat capacity remain the same.

Identifying Intensive Properties in a Set: A Step-by-Step Approach

When presented with a list of properties, follow these steps to identify the intensive ones:

1. Understand the definition: Remember that intensive properties are independent of the amount of matter.
2. Analyze each property: Consider if doubling the amount of substance would change the value of the property.
3. Eliminate extensive properties: Properties like mass, volume, and total energy are clearly extensive and should be eliminated.
4. Focus on intrinsic characteristics: Look for properties that describe the inherent nature of the substance, such as density, temperature, and color.

For example, if given the following set: {mass, density, temperature, volume, boiling point, color}, the intensive properties are density, temperature, boiling point, and color. Mass and volume are extensive.

Conclusion: Mastering the Concept of Intensive Properties

Understanding the distinction between intensive and extensive properties is fundamental to many scientific and engineering disciplines. Intensive properties are crucial for characterizing and identifying substances, as they provide intrinsic characteristics independent of the amount of material present. By mastering this concept and applying the techniques described, you'll be well-equipped to analyze and interpret properties of various systems, enabling you to effectively solve problems and design solutions across diverse fields. Remember the key – independence from the amount of matter present. This is the ultimate test of whether a property is intensive.