which statement describes an extensive property of matter

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03-02-2025

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Which Statement Describes an Extensive Property of Matter?

Title Tag: Extensive Properties of Matter Explained

Meta Description: Learn to distinguish extensive properties (like mass and volume) from intensive properties (like density and temperature). This guide clearly explains extensive properties with examples and helps you understand their importance in chemistry and physics. Click to master this key concept!

What are Extensive Properties?

An extensive property of matter is a property that depends on the amount of matter present. In simpler terms, if you have more of a substance, the extensive property will also have a larger value. This is in contrast to intensive properties, which are independent of the amount of substance.

Think of it like this: if you have a single cookie, it has a certain mass. If you have a dozen cookies, the total mass is much greater. The mass is an extensive property because it changes with the amount of cookies.

Examples of Extensive Properties:

Here are some key examples of extensive properties:

• Mass: The amount of matter in an object. A larger object has a larger mass.
• Volume: The amount of space an object occupies. A larger object occupies a larger volume.
• Length: The distance from one end of an object to the other. A longer object has a greater length.
• Weight: The force of gravity acting on an object's mass. A heavier object weighs more.
• Heat Capacity: The amount of heat required to raise the temperature of a substance by a certain amount. A larger sample requires more heat to change its temperature.
• Energy: The capacity to do work. A larger quantity of a substance will have more total energy.

Understanding the Difference: Extensive vs. Intensive

It's crucial to differentiate extensive properties from intensive properties. Intensive properties, unlike extensive properties, do not depend on the amount of matter. Examples include density, temperature, color, boiling point, and melting point. The density of water, for instance, remains the same whether you have a teaspoon or a gallon.

The table below summarizes the key differences:

Why are Extensive Properties Important?

Understanding extensive properties is fundamental in various scientific fields:

• Chemistry: Stoichiometry relies heavily on extensive properties like mass and volume to calculate reactant and product quantities in chemical reactions.
• Physics: Calculating work and energy often involves extensive properties such as mass and volume.
• Engineering: Designing structures and systems requires considering extensive properties like weight and volume to ensure stability and functionality.

Which statement describes an extensive property?

Now, let's address the initial question. The correct statement describing an extensive property of matter will be one that highlights a property directly proportional to the amount of substance. For example:

• Correct: "The mass of a substance increases as the amount of the substance increases."
• Incorrect: "The density of a substance remains constant regardless of the amount of substance." (This describes an intensive property)

By understanding the distinction between extensive and intensive properties, you gain a deeper understanding of the fundamental characteristics of matter and its behavior. Remember to always consider the amount of substance when dealing with extensive properties.