State Function Vs Path Function

Key difference state function vs path function thermodynamics is a major branch of physical chemistry which indicates the thermochemical relationships with different forms of energy and work. These two functions are dependent on how the thermodynamic system changes from the initial state to final state.

Thermochemistry Energy Changes Associated With Chemical Reaction

State functions are defined by comparing them to path functions.

State function vs path function. In contrast to path functions state functions are independent of the path taken. In contrast functions whose value depends on the path taken to get between two states are called path functions. Thermodynamic state variables are point functions differing from path functions.

Temperature pressure volume enthalpy entropy free energy. To understand the difference between the two. As stated before a state function is a property whose value does not depend on the path taken to reach that specific function or value.

State functions do not depend on the path by which the system arrived at its present state. In thermodynamics a state function or function of state or point function is a function defined for a system relating several state variables or state quantities that depends only on the current equilibrium state of the system for example a gas a liquid a solid crystal or emulsion. The quantity that depend on initial and final state but also depends on path by which it has bee.

A state function is a property describes a particular state without depending on the path taken to reach this state. There are many different ways to get to the final state but the final state will remain the same. In essence if something is not a path function it is probably a state function.

For a given state considered as a point there is a definite value for each state variable and state function. We can say that only depends upon final state. Examples of path functions include work heat and arc length.

Two important examples of a path function are heat and work. There are four thermodynamic laws used in describing the behavior of a thermodynamic system.

State And Path Functions Youtube