In physics and chemistry, an extensive quantity (also referred to as an extensive variable) is a physical quantity whose value is proportional to the size of the system it describes. In general, this means that such a property can be expressed as the sum of the values assumed in each of the subsystems that compose the total system. The willingness to question previously held truths and search for new answers resulted in a period of major scientific advancements, now known as the Scientific Revolution. ... Chemistry (in Greek: Ïημεία) is the science of matter and its interactions with energy and itself (see physics, biology). ... A physical quantity is either a quantity within physics that can be measured (e. ... A system is an assemblage of inter-related elements comprising a unified whole. ...
From a mathematical point of view, F is an extensive quantity if, for all α,
where V is volume and N is number of particles. Thus, extensive quantities are homogeneous functions (of degree 1) of volume and particle number. Homogeneous is an adjective that has several meanings. ...
Extensive quantities should be contrasted with intensive quantities, which are intrinsic to the system and remain constant regardless of the size of the system. Dividing one extensive quantity by another will give an intensive quantity. In physics and chemistry, an intensive quantity (also referred to as an intensive variable) is a physical quantity whose value does not depend on the amount of the substance for which it is measured. ...
Examples
Some examples of extensive thermodynamic quantities are: Thermodynamics (Greek: thermos = heat and dynamic = change) is the physics of energy, heat, work, entropy and the spontaneity of processes. ...
In the natural sciences, an extensivequantity (also extensive variable or extensive parameter) is a physicalquantity, whose value is proportional to the size of the system it describes.
Extensivequantities are the counterparts of intensive quantities, which are intrinsic to a particular subsystem and remain constant regardless of size.
Thus, extensivequantities are homogeneous functions (of degree 1) with respect to {A
Usually, the symbols for physicalquantities are chosen to be a single lower case or capital letter of the Latin or Greek alphabet written in italic type.
For example, the recomended symbol for a physicalquantity of mass is m, and the recomended symbol for a quantity of charge is Q.
Some derived physicalquantities have no dimension and are said to be dimensionless quantities.