Extensive vs Intensive Properties

The words “intensive, extensive” and “property” have Latin origins as they were derived from the Latin words “intensivus,” “extensivus,” and “substantia.” The word “intensive” was used later than the word “extensive.” Records shows that the word “intensive” was used between the years 1400 to 1450 while the word “extensive” was used between the years 1375 to 1425.

When you search for intensive and extensive property in the Internet, it points to science. The keyword is “matter” because intensive and extensive properties are the physical properties of matter. As we all know, since early school age, “matter” could be any anything that has weight and occupies space. The following are their differences in the world of science:

Intensive property is the ability to be self-reliant for it is the ability of not depending on the amount of matter present. Extensive property is its opposite for it is the ability to depend. Intensive property is the characteristic of a material that makes its substance identifiable; it doesn’t change. Extensive property can be easily identified for it changes depending on the substance added to it. Intensive property cannot be computed while extensive property can be computed for it is a combination of parts of things.

The size for extensive properties changes while the size for intensive properties does not change.
Examples of intensive property of matter are: color, conductivity, melting point, ductility, pressure, freezing point, density, boiling point, odor, luster, and hardness, among others. Examples of extensive property of matter are: mass, volume, weight, and length.

Summary:

1.By simple inspection, the only difference between the words “extensive property” and “intensive property” are their first two letters yet they mean two opposite words.
2.In science, intensive and extensive properties are the physical properties of matter.
3.Intensive property is the ability not to depend, not to change, and to be easily identified. It can’t be computed, and its size doesn’t change. Extensive property means all things opposite of these descriptions.

4.Examples of intensive property of matter are: color, conductivity, melting point, ductility, pressure, freezing point, density, boiling point, odor, luster, and hardness, among others.

5.Examples of extensive property of matter are: mass, volume, weight, and length.

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