Question

Which one of the following is the extensive property of a thermodynamic system?

• A. Volume
• B. Pressure
• C. Temperature
• D. Density

Hint:

A useful trick: Any property that is a ratio of two extensive properties becomes an intensive property (e.g., Density = Mass Volume).

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

An extensive property is a property of a thermodynamic system that changes when the size of the system changes. Extensive properties depend on the amount of matter in a system.

1. Volume: Volume is an extensive property. It is directly proportional to the amount of substance in the system. For example, if you divide a system into two equal parts, each part will have half the volume of the original system. Therefore, volume depends on the system size.
2. Pressure: Pressure is an intensive property. It remains unchanged regardless of the size of the system. That means if you split the system into smaller parts, each part will have the same pressure as the original system.
3. Temperature: Temperature is an intensive property. Like pressure, it is independent of the system size. Dividing a system doesn’t change the temperature of any of the parts.
4. Density: Density is also an intensive property. It is a ratio of mass to volume and remains constant regardless of how much of the system is considered.

Therefore, the correct answer is Volume, as it is the only option among the given choices that is an extensive property.