Question

Which of the following is an extensive property?
A) Mass
B) Temperature
C) Pressure
D) Density

Answer 1

Hint:Extensive properties are the properties which are associated with the bulk behavior of matter. In simple terms, extensive properties depend on the size of the system and the amount of matter present in the system. On the other hand, intensive properties are the properties which do not depend on the size and amount of matter. Length is an extensive property as it depends on the size of the system. Water boils at the same temperature.

Complete step by step solution:
Intensive properties: Intensive properties are the properties of matter that do not depend on the size or quantity of matter in any way. Temperatures, density, color, melting and boiling point, etc., all are intensive properties as they will not change when there is a change in size or quantity of matter. The density of one liter of water or thousand liters of water will remain the same as it is an intensive property. Similarly, the boiling and melting point of water also remains the same irrespective of the mass.

Therefore, Density and temperature are not extensive properties. Hence, Option B and option D are the incorrect options.

In case of pressure, if we consider the ideal gas equation, pressure depends on density and
temperature both of which are intensive properties. Therefore, pressure is also an intensive
property.

Hence, option C is also incorrect.

Mass depends on the number of atoms occupying some volume. More the number of atoms is concentrated in any given space, the more is the mass. Therefore, mass is an extensive property as it depends on the amount of matter.

Thus, option A is the correct option.

Note:Similar to intensive and extensive properties we have state functions and path functions. The ratio of two extensive properties is an extensive property. For example, mass and volume are extensive properties but the ratio of them that is density is an intensive property.