The melting point is an intensive property because it does not depend on the amount or size of the substance. 1 It remains constant for a specific material regardless of the quantity present, making it a useful characteristic for identifying and comparing substances.
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Key Takeaways: Is Melting Point Intensive or Extensive Property?
- Melting point is an intensive property because it remains constant for a specific substance, regardless of the quantity of the material present.
- Intensive properties provide consistent and unique characteristics for each material, making them essential for identification and classification purposes.
- Melting point is determined by the chemical and physical nature of the substance and is unaffected by sample size or amount.
Why is melting point an intensive property?
Melting point is an intensive property because it does not depend on the amount or size of the substance being measured. Intensive properties are characteristics of a substance that remain constant regardless of the quantity of the material present.
When a substance undergoes a phase change, such as melting from a solid to a liquid, the temperature at which this occurs remains the same for a particular substance under specific conditions of pressure. 2
For example, the melting point of pure water at standard atmospheric pressure is always 0 degrees Celsius (32 degrees Fahrenheit) regardless of whether you have a small ice cube or a large block of ice. 3
Intensive properties are essential for identifying and characterizing substances because they provide a consistent and unique set of parameters for each material.
They are used to distinguish one substance from another and are often utilized in analytical chemistry and material science for identification and classification purposes.
In contrast to intensive properties, extensive properties do depend on the amount of the substance present. Examples of extensive properties include mass, volume, and total energy content. 4
These properties scale with the quantity of the material and can vary depending on the size or amount of the substance.
Why is melting point not an extensive property?
Melting point is not an extensive property because it remains constant for a specific substance, regardless of the quantity of the material being measured. It is a unique and intrinsic characteristic of the substance, unaffected by the amount of the substance present.
Melting point is an intensive property because it is determined by the chemical and physical nature of the substance itself. It is a characteristic that defines the substance and is independent of the sample size or amount.
Whether you have a small piece or a large block of the substance, its melting point will remain the same under constant pressure conditions.
Extensive properties, on the other hand, do depend on the amount of the substance present. For example, mass and volume are extensive properties because they scale with the quantity of the material. If you have more of a substance, its mass and volume will increase accordingly.
In summary, melting point is an intensive property as it uniquely defines a substance and does not change with the quantity of the material. It is a fundamental characteristic used for identification and characterization purposes in chemistry and material science.
Further reading
Is Length Intensive or Extensive Property?
Is Temperature Intensive or Extensive Property?
Is Color Intensive or Extensive Property?
Is Mass Intensive or Extensive Property?
Is Density Intensive or Extensive Property?
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References
- 1.3: Properties of Matter. (2014, November 18). Chemistry LibreTexts. https://chem.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/General_Chemistry/Map%3A_Chemistry_-_The_Central_Science_(Brown_et_al.)/01%3A_Introduction_-_Matter_and_Measurement/1.03%3A_Properties_of_Matter
- Ball, D. W., & Key, J. A. (n.d.). Phase Transitions: Melting, Boiling, and Subliming – Introductory Chemistry – 1st Canadian Edition. Phase Transitions: Melting, Boiling, and Subliming – Introductory Chemistry – 1st Canadian Edition. https://opentextbc.ca/introductorychemistry/chapter/phase-transitions-melting-boiling-and-subliming/
- Melting point – Wikipedia. (2008, February 19). Melting Point – Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melting_point
- Foundation, C. (n.d.). Welcome to CK-12 Foundation | CK-12 Foundation. Welcome to CK-12 Foundation | CK-12 Foundation. https://www.ck12.org/section/properties-of-matter-%3a%3aof%3a%3a-matter-and-change-%3a%3aof%3a%3a-ck-12-chemistry-basic/