State Function

[705279989]

Why is enthalpy a state function?

[Juliana Chopelas 1A]

Enthalpy is a state function because it only depends on the initial and final states of something and not the whole path to get there.

[Lara Kristine Bacasen 1L]

Yeah, the path doesn't matter which is why he was able to show us different ways to get the answer that we need.

[Abigail_Hagen2G]

Anything that isn't dependent on the path is a state function

[Callum Guo 1H]

the path a reaction takes does not change the enthalpy of the reaction

[Shail Avasthi 2C]

Enthalpy is a state function because you can use the final and initial values as your only information to calculate the change in enthalpy. The path taken is not required information.

[CMaduno_1L]

Examples of other state properties include: energy, pressure, volume, temperature, density, and heat capacity

In contrast, work and heat both depend on the path taken to from its initial value to its final value, preventing them from being considered state functions

[Lauren Stack 1C]

Enthalpy is a state function because it only relies on the final and initial values to calculate it. If you use the example of altitude gain while rock climbing, the difference between the final and initial values is the same, regardless of what path you take. Conversely, a path function or non-state function like work changes depending on the path, so if a person backslides while rock climbing, they are doing more work that a person who does no backslide, even though they experience the same net altitude gain.