Extensive vs Intensive Properties of Matter - Explained

Summary

Mr. Millington's lesson distinguishes between intensive and extensive properties of matter. Intensive properties, like boiling point, density, and hardness, remain constant regardless of the substance's quantity. Extensive properties, such as volume, mass, and length, vary with the amount of matter. Examples provided for each clarify the concepts, making the lesson engaging and informative.

Takeaways

• 🔬 Intensive properties are characteristics of a substance that do not depend on the amount of matter present.
• 🌡 Examples of intensive properties include boiling point, freezing point, melting point, and condensation point.
• 💧 The boiling point of water is 100 degrees Celsius, regardless of the quantity of water.
• 📏 Density is an intensive property; water's density is one gram per milliliter, irrespective of the amount.
• 💠 Hardness, color, flammability, combustibility, and corrosiveness are all intensive properties.
• 🔥 Flammability, such as that of gasoline, is consistent regardless of the quantity.
• 🧪 Extensive properties depend on the amount of matter present, including volume, mass, length, and weight.
• 📦 Volume is an extensive property; it varies with the amount of substance you have.
• 🏺 Mass is also an extensive property, as it changes with the quantity of the substance.
• ⏱ The length of a copper bar is an extensive property because it depends on the size of the bar.
• 🔗 To determine if a property is intensive or extensive, consider whether it changes with the amount of substance.

Q & A

What are intensive properties?

Intensive properties are characteristics of a substance that do not depend on the amount of matter present. Examples include boiling point, freezing point, melting point, density, hardness, color, flammability, combustibility, and corrosiveness.

Why does the boiling point of water remain the same regardless of the amount of water present?

The boiling point of water is an intensive property, which means it is constant at one hundred degrees Celsius under standard conditions and does not change with the quantity of water.

How does the density of water illustrate the concept of intensive properties?

The density of water is an intensive property, which is always one gram per milliliter, regardless of the amount of water present.

What is the significance of hardness as an intensive property in earth science?

Hardness is an intensive property that indicates the resistance of a mineral to scratching. Diamond, being the hardest mineral, maintains this property regardless of its size.

Can you give an example of an intensive property related to flammability?

Yes, flammability is an intensive property. For instance, gasoline is flammable whether you have a large quantity or just a small amount.

What is an extensive property and how does it differ from intensive properties?

Extensive properties are characteristics of a substance that depend on the amount of matter present. They include volume, mass, length, and weight, and they vary with the quantity of the substance.

How does the volume of water demonstrate the concept of extensive properties?

Volume is an extensive property because it depends on how much water you have. More water means a larger volume.

Why is mass considered an extensive property?

Mass is an extensive property because it is directly proportional to the amount of substance present; more substance results in greater mass.

How does the length of a copper bar relate to extensive properties?

The length of a copper bar is an extensive property because it depends on the size of the bar; a longer bar has a greater length.

What is the difference between intensive and extensive properties in terms of their dependence on the amount of substance?

Intensive properties do not depend on the amount of substance, while extensive properties are directly related to the quantity of the substance.

Can you provide a real-world example of how intensive properties remain constant regardless of the amount?

Yes, the flammability of gasoline is an example of an intensive property that remains constant whether you have a large tank or a small bottle of gasoline.