|
The properties of a system can be divided up into two kinds: state
properties and those which are not state properties. A state property is any
property that does not depend on the path that the state used to reach that
system. For example, the temperature of a sample is a state property of that
sample- it doesn't matter if you heated the solid from a lower temperature or if
you cooled it from a hotter temperature: the temperature when you measure it is
still the same
Non-state properties do depend on how the system enters that state. For
example, the distance you travel from home to school is different if you fly,
drive, walk or bike. Examples:
| State property |
Non-state property |
| Temperature |
Heat flow: is the reaction at constant P or constant V? |
| Volume |
Experimental reaction yield |
| Pressure |
Work done on a system |
| Heat Capacity |
Time needed to study for a test |
|