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a function whose magnitude depends on the path followed by the function and on the end points.

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Q: What is path function in thermodynamics?
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What is point function in thermodynamics?

A path function is one where it the value of the function depends on the path you took from the initial and final state. Work and Heat are path functions. A "point function" is one that only has points as values rather than being continuous. The only point functions in thermodynamics are where the thermodynamic conditions are fully constrained - such as pure component triple points and critical points. At the triple point vapor, liquid, and solid can coexist in equilibrium. That only happens at a single temperature and pressure. Likewise, the critical point only occurs at the critical temperature and pressure. If you have a mixture, you get a continuous function over a composition range rather than a single point. If by "point function" the questioner meant to refer to those functions/properties where the value only depends on the point where you start and the point where you end, the correct name is "state function". In thermodynamics changes in internal energy, enthalpy, Helmoltz energy, and Gibbs free energy depend only on starting and ending conditions and are State Functions.


Does entropy depend on its path?

No, entropy is a state function.


What is the study of conversion of heat to mechanics?

Thermodynamics


What is the value of internal energy in a cyclic process in thermodynamics?

Since internal energy is a state function and a cyclic process always returns to the same state (that's how you define a cyclic process), the value of the the internal energy will remain constant. That is not to say that it doesn't change along the cyclic path during the process - just that it always returns to the same value when the cycle is complete.


Is thermodynamics the same as physical chemistry?

Thermodynamics is considered a part of physical chemistry.

Related questions

Define point function and path function?

Point function and path function are found in Thermodynamics.


What is the difference between path function and state function?

state function did not depend on the path , it depends on the initial and final point of the system where as path function depends on the path of the reaction.


What are path functions?

a function whose magnitude depends on the path followed by the function and on the end points.


What is point function in thermodynamics?

A path function is one where it the value of the function depends on the path you took from the initial and final state. Work and Heat are path functions. A "point function" is one that only has points as values rather than being continuous. The only point functions in thermodynamics are where the thermodynamic conditions are fully constrained - such as pure component triple points and critical points. At the triple point vapor, liquid, and solid can coexist in equilibrium. That only happens at a single temperature and pressure. Likewise, the critical point only occurs at the critical temperature and pressure. If you have a mixture, you get a continuous function over a composition range rather than a single point. If by "point function" the questioner meant to refer to those functions/properties where the value only depends on the point where you start and the point where you end, the correct name is "state function". In thermodynamics changes in internal energy, enthalpy, Helmoltz energy, and Gibbs free energy depend only on starting and ending conditions and are State Functions.


Is the distance traveled a state function or path function?

Its a path function......but DISPLACEMENT is a state function.Distance depends on the path we followed from one state to another but displacement is a straight distance so it depends upon the states.


Is distance traveled a state function or a path function?

Its a path function......but DISPLACEMENT is a state function.Distance depends on the path we followed from one state to another but displacement is a straight distance so it depends upon the states.


What is difference between path function and point function in thermodyanaMICS?

Path function: Their magnitudes depend on the path followed during a process as well as the end states. Work (W), heat (Q) are path functions.The cyclic integral of a path function is non-zero. work and heat are path functions.Point Function: They depend on the state only, and not on how a system reaches that state. All properties are point functions.The cyclic integral of a point function is zero. properties are point functions, (ie pressure,volume,temperature and entropy).


What are the function of switches?

The function of a switch is to open or close a path for electricity.


Is in adiabatic process the work done is independent of path?

YES.. By first law of thermodynamics, dQ=dW+dU For adiabatic process dQ=0 dW=-dU Above relation shows that the work done is equal to change in internal energy in magnitude which is the property of the system or point function. Thus work done in adiabatic process is a point function.


How is heat capacity a path function?

Heat capacity is NOT a path function. It is a STATE function. It depends on the phase of the material, the temperature and the pressure. Usually heat capacity is known at some particular condition and then a calculation is required to estimate it at the condition of interest. Performing these calculations should always result in the same final value no matter the path you took to get to the value - hence it is a STATE function rather than PATH. Path functions would be things like WORK and HEAT (for which the state function "heat capacity" might be used in the calculations)


How heat is a path function?

Heat capacity is NOT a path function. It is a STATE function. It depends on the phase of the material, the temperature and the pressure. Usually heat capacity is known at some particular condition and then a calculation is required to estimate it at the condition of interest. Performing these calculations should always result in the same final value no matter the path you took to get to the value - hence it is a STATE function rather than PATH. Path functions would be things like WORK and HEAT (for which the state function "heat capacity" might be used in the calculations)


Does entropy depend on its path?

No, entropy is a state function.