Difference between Extensive and Intensive Properties

Introduction

Intensive and extensive properties are the basis for the categorization of the physical type properties of the substances and the systems. And, this could be done, based on the property forms or changes whenever the size or shape of the very system changes. We can say that intensive property is that which does not depends on the size or shape of the system taken or the quantity or amount of material present in the system. While the extensive property is the property that depends on the shape or size of the system or the quantity or amount of substances or materials present inside the system. Some known examples of the intensive properties are- Temperature(T), density( 𝜌), e.t.c. And, some examples of extensive properties are- mass, volume, e.t.c.

What is an Intensive Property?

An intensive property is a physical(measurable) quantity. And, its value never depends on the amount or quantity of substance or materials for which or for that it is measured and, for example- temperature. The required temperature of any system at equilibrium condition is equal to or same as that at any step or part of the reaction, independent of the amount or quantity of substance. Another example is density. The density of any homogenous system remains the same or constant even when we divide the system in half or more, all the individuals also have the same density. One of the very common examples is the boiling point(B.P.) of water that is 100 °C at 1atm pressure remains true or constant regardless of the quantity.

Intensive Property Examples

Following are some examples of intensive properties −

• Concentration denoted by c remains constant or does not get affected by increasing or decreasing the amount of the substance.

• Density denoted by 𝜌 is also independent of the amount of the substance in the solution.

• Pressure denoted by p also comes under the intensive property.

• The temperature denoted by T also remains unaffected by the amount of substances used.

• Surface tension, viscosity, specific volume, e.t.c are also some known examples of intensive properties.

What is an Extensive Property?

An Extensive property is a physical type of quantity. Its value is directly proportional to or dependent on the size or shape of the system in which it is kept and also on the quantity or amount of matter or substances present inside the system. One very known example is mass. Mass of a substance is an intensive property because it depends on the quantity or amount of substance taken for the measurement. Similarly, volume is also an intensive property as it varies on varying the amount of substance in the container or on changing the sizes of containers volumes of the substances occupying the space of the container also changes. And, one important thing is- dividing one extensive property with other generally gives an intensive property. Ex- when extensive mass is divided with volume that is also extensive it gives density that comes under an intensive property.

Extensive Property Examples

Following are some examples of Extensive Properties −

• Enthalpy denoted by H is dependent or does easily get affected by increasing or decreasing the amount of the substance.

• Entropy denoted by S is also an extensive property as it varies on varying the amount of substance.

• Mass denoted by m is one of the very common extensive properties.

• Volume denoted by V is completely dependent on the amount of substance or the shape and size of the container.

• Internal energy, Gibbs energy, heat capacity, e.t.c are also some known examples of extensive properties.

Differences between Extensive and Intensive Properties

Extensive	Intensive
It is a dependent property that depends on or varies with the amount of substance.	It is an independent property that does not depend on the quantity or amount of substance.
Here shape and size change.	Here shape and size remain constant or do not change.
It cannot be identified so easily.	It can be identified very easily.
It can be computed easily.	It cannot be computed.
Examples are- mass, volume, entropy, enthalpy, e.t.c.	Examples are- temperature, density,boiling point, pressure, e.t.c.

How to Differentiate between Intensive and Extensive Properties?

We can easily differentiate between Intensive and extensive properties. Since both of them are physical quantities but the intensive property is independent while the extensive property is a dependent one which means if we change the amount of the substances taken initially, the quantities like mass, and volume also change which means they are extensive properties. In the case of intensive properties shape or size does not change but in the case of extensive properties size changes. Intensive properties can easily be identified and cannot be computed while extensive properties cannot be easily identified but can be computed easily.

Conclusion

An intensive property is a property that is independent (not dependent) of the amount of substance and can be identified easily. The extensive property is the property that is dependent on the amount of substance. These properties can de easily be distinguished from each other just by doubling the mass of the system. The properties that get changed are termed extensive properties while the properties that cannot be changed are termed intensive properties. Examples of extensive properties are- mass, volume, enthalpy(H), entropy(S), e.t.c, and examples of intensive properties are- temperature, density, boiling point, e.t.c.

FAQs

1. What do you mean by Intensive property?

Physical property whose value never depends on the quantity or amount of substance or materials for which it is measured. Examples are- temperature, boiling point(B.P.),e.t.c.

2. Give some examples of Extensive property.

Some examples of extensive property are −

• Mass(m)

• Volume(V)

• Heat capacity(C_p)

• Internal energy(U)

• Entropy(S)

3. Why is temperature considered an intensive property?

Temperature is considered an intensive property because it remains constant throughout the reaction. For example, the temperature of the reaction at equilibrium condition and the temperature at any point of the reaction will remain the same.

4. What is the basic difference between the extensive and the intensive property?

The basic difference between the extensive type property and intensive type property is that the extensive property varies or depends on the quantity or amount of substance while the intensive property never or does not varies or depend on the quantity of substance.

5. Density is intensive or extensive property?

Density(𝜌) is termed an intensive type of property because it acts constant or remains the same throughout the sample no matter what the initial mass or volume was present.