Question

The product of an extensive and intensive variable is?

• A. Extensive
• B. Intensive
• C. Depends on temperature conditions
• D. Depends on pressure conditions

Answer 1

Answer: (A)

Extensive

Answer 2

An extensive property depends on the amount of substance, while an intensive property does not. If we take an extensive variable (E) and an intensive variable (I), and consider combining two identical systems, the extensive variable (E) will double, while the intensive variable (I) will remain the same. The product (P = E * I) will then become (2E * I) = 2(E * I) = 2P. Since the product doubles when the amount of substance doubles, it is an extensive property.