state functions and properties

[marcus lin 1E]

What's the definition of a state property?

[Samantha Ito 2E]

A state function is a property that depends only on the current state of the system and is independent of how the state was prepared.

[Anmol_cheema_2F]

A state function does not depend on the path taken to achieve that state. This includes density, internal energy, enthalpy, etc.

[Diana Bibireata 1B]

A state function only depends current conditions, not the path it takes to get there.

[Timothy_Yueh_4L]

A state function is a property whose value does not depend on the path taken to reach a specific value. For the sake of this class, pressure, density, temperature, volume, enthalpy, internal energy, Gibb's free energy, and entropy are state functions.

[Saman Andalib 1H]

A state function is a function which does not depend upon the path taken to reach a particular final point. Observations of the behavior are valid by simply looking at the final and initial point. An example of a state property Entropy

[Cecilia Jardon 1I]

A state property is one where the start and the end of the function only matter rather than the path taken.

[Kyither Min 2K]

A state function is something where the path doesn't matter, only the initial and final state. The reason it is so important is that since the path doesn't matter, you can subtract, add, multiply, and divid state functions as necessary.

[Bella Townsend]

there are multiple ways to get to the right conclusion with a state function. Multiple variables contribute to the calculation of a state function.

in a path function, how you get the answer matters. There is only one way to calculate a path function

[Anisha Chandra 1K]

A good way to think about it is with the mountain example Dr. Lavelle presented in class:
- altitude is a state function, as the height of an object does not depend on the path taken to get there
- work is not a state function, as it depends on the energy taken to get there, so someone who took a longer route to reach the same altitude on the mountain does more work than someone who got to that altitude via a shorter route

[005162520]

What are some examples of state functions and path functions?

[Joanne Lee 1J]

A state function is a property that depends only on the current state of the system and is independent of how that state was prepared. Examples can include internal energy, pressure, volume, temperature, and density.