Atomic Mass: Intensive or Extensive Property [ENDORSED]

[Stef Newell]

Hello everyone. I have a question. Is atomic mass an intensive or extensive property? Also, why?

[Jessica Lutz 2E]

I believe that atomic mass is an extensive property because it depends solely on size. With atomic mass, the size is determined by the number of protons and neutrons in an atom. It does not have to do with the weight or density of the atom, which are both intensive properties. I am not completely sure about this, so someone can correct me if I am wrong in my thinking.

[Magdalena Palavecino 1A]

Can someone please clarify the definition or difference between an intensive and extensive property regarding chemistry? I do not understand what they are supposed to reflect.

[Chem_Mod]

As I discussed in class an intensive property does not depend on the amount of material. It is a property that is a constant. For example in class I discussed the density of pure water is 1 g.ml^-1. The density of pure water is the same for 10 ml or 500 ml of water. Density is an intensive property.

Volume is extensive: The volume of 500 ml of water is not the same as the volume of 10 ml of water.

The atomic mass of carbon is a constant, and therefore intensive.
The atomic mass of oxygen is a constant, and therefore intensive.
etc.