State Functions
Definition
A state function is any property whose value does not depend on the path taken to reach that specific value. In other words, it only depends on the current state of the system.
Analogy
Imagine you're hiking up a mountain. No matter how you get there - whether you take an easy trail or climb straight up - when you reach the top, your altitude will be exactly same. That's what we mean by state functions; they don't care about how they got there!
Related terms
Path Function: Unlike state functions, these properties do depend on how changes occur within a system.
Thermodynamics: The branch of physical science that deals with heat and other forms of energy and their relation to mechanical work.
Entropy: A thermodynamic quantity representing unavailability of a system’s thermal energy for conversion into mechanical work.
"State Functions" appears in:
Study guides (2)
Practice Questions (1)
- State functions refer to functions that are ___ of path.
Resources
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