Extensive vs. Intensive

[Abby Ellstrom 1I]

What is the difference between extensive and intensive properties? Is this difference crucial to know for understanding the concepts?

[Chew 2H]

Extensive properties depend on the amount of the substance so basically an example would be Heat Capacity (the amount of heat required to change the temp by 1 Degree celcius of a substance. But for intensive properties (which are much more useful), it would be things like specific heat capacity or molar heat capacity where the properties remain unaffected by the amount of substance. Specific Heat capacity is based of raising the temp of 1 gram of substance by 1 degree and molar heat capacity is based of raising the temp of 1 mole by 1 degree.

[skalvakota2H]

An extensive property is a property that does depend on the size/extent of the sample. On the other hand, an intensive property is independent of the size of the sample. For example, volume is an extensive property and temperature is intensive. It may prove useful to know that these two are physical properties of a system.

[Jessica_Singh_1J]

Some examples of extensive properties include length, weight, size, mass, and volume. Some intensive properties include boiling/melting point, density, odor, color, ductility, and malleability.