state functions

[Tylina Guo 1K]

What determines whether or not something is a state function?

[Rachel Yu 3K]

State functions depend on the state of the system and not the path a system takes to get to that state. A state function usually only requires an initial state and a final state.

[Kayley Steele 3D]

A state function is a property whose value does not depend on the path taken to reach that specific value.

[PatrickV]

What a state function is the property that a value does not depend on the path taken to reach that specific value. By this definition temperature is a state function. We only care about the initial and final state of temperature, it could have been cooled and then heated up again or vice versa and it wouldn't matter.

[Aeson Salcedo 3L]

State function is a property that is not dependent on the path taken to achieve it. For example temperature, altitude and volume are some common state properties.

[erud]

it will be determined as a state function if the value found will not depend on the path it is taking to get to the desired val.

[trucle_2I]

State functions only depend on the initial and final state of something, so if a property is calculated based on the pathway it went through, it would not be a state function.

[Gabby Burgess 2I]

State functions are additive and does not depend on the pathway taken.

[Kailyn Kennada 3E]

Hi there!

A state function is values that do not rely on how said state was established. For instance, when calculating heat (q) or work (w), it is very important that we know how we got to this specific state in order for us to come to the correct answer such as going from solid straight to a vapor versus solid liquid gas etc. Instead, a state function only takes into consideration the beginning condition and end condition. Therefore, it is irrelevant in these calculations whether the path to get to this state took 2 steps or 20. Examples of state functions include enthalpy (which is a combination of both work and heat), temperature, pressure, and internal energy.

[Kush Brahmbhatt 2K]

A state function is a parameter that is not dependent on the path that is taken to get the initial value and the final value. For example, when calculating the change in enthalpy, the path to get to the final value from the initial value is not taken into account. The only information necessary is the final and initial value.

[Sabrina Camua 2J]

State functions do not depend on the path taken as they are only dependent on the state of the system. You only need final and initial state to calculate state functions.

[Paul Torres 2I]

State functions are values where they are not dependent on the pathway taken to achieve the initial and final states. We only look at the initial and final values but the process to get to such values are not dependent on what the state function is.