Intensive and extensive properties are two types of physical properties of matter, distinguished by how they depend on the amount of substance present.
🔹 Intensive Properties
- Do not depend on the quantity of matter.
- They remain the same whether you have a small sample or a large sample.
- They are useful for identifying substances.
Examples:
- Density
- Temperature
- Pressure
- Color
- Boiling point & Melting point
For instance, the density of water is 1 g/cm³ whether you have 10 mL or 1 liter.
🔹 Extensive Properties
- Depend on the quantity (amount) of matter present.
- They change if the size or amount of the sample changes.
Examples:
- Mass
- Volume
- Length
- Total energy
- Heat capacity
For example, the mass of 100 g of sugar is different from the mass of 1 kg of sugar.
Key Difference:
- Intensive = Independent of amount (quality of matter)
- Extensive = Dependent on amount (quantity of matter)