## Delta U

$\Delta U=q+w$

Maya_Peterson1C
Posts: 62
Joined: Fri Sep 28, 2018 12:28 am

### Delta U

If $\Delta$ U is a state function, how is it that we can use work, which is pathway-dependent, to calculate it?

Jonas Talandis
Posts: 60
Joined: Fri Sep 28, 2018 12:16 am

### Re: Delta U

I believe it's because when we find U we're only concerned with the final and initial states. Regardless of how it's calculated or what happens between the initial and final points, we are just concerned with the change in energy.

keyaluo4C
Posts: 54
Joined: Fri Sep 28, 2018 12:17 am

### Re: Delta U

We are actually only measuring the changes in internal energy rather than the absolute value of the internal energy of the system.

Michael Torres 4I
Posts: 92
Joined: Thu May 10, 2018 3:00 am
Been upvoted: 1 time

### Re: Delta U

Delta U can be calculated by adding q and w. Since we are just finding the change in internal energy, delta U can be understood as a state function regardless of what its components might be because we are just concerned with finding the differences between final and initial conditions.

AngelaZ 1J
Posts: 65
Joined: Fri Sep 28, 2018 12:23 am

### Re: Delta U

The change in internal energy is a function of only the initial and final states.