Pathway Dependent

Definition

Pathway dependent refers to variables or quantities whose values depend on the process or 'path' taken to reach a certain state.

Analogy

Imagine going from home to school. The amount of gas used in your car would be pathway dependent - if you take a longer route with more traffic lights, you'll use more gas than if you took a shorter route with fewer stops.

Related terms

Work Done (in physics): This is an example of pathway dependence as it relies on both force applied and distance over which it's applied.

Heat Transfered (q): In thermodynamics, this is another example where value depends upon path taken during transfer process.

Kinetic Energy: This can be considered pathway dependent as well since it depends upon mass and velocity (which can change depending upon path taken).