What is the Difference Between State Function and Path Function?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚The main difference between state functions and path functions lies in their dependence on the path taken to reach a specific value. State functions are properties whose value does not depend on the path taken to reach that specific value, while path functions are functions that depend on the path taken to reach that specific value. Both state and path functions are often encountered in thermodynamics.
State Functions:
- Independent of the path taken to reach the property or value.
- Capable of integrating using initial and final values.
- Any number of steps results in the same value.
- Examples include temperature, pressure, and enthalpy.
Path Functions:
- Dependent on the path taken to establish the property or value.
- Requires multiple integrals and limits of integration in order to integrate.
- Different steps result in different values.
- Examples include work and heat.
In summary, state functions are properties that describe a specific state, regardless of the path taken to reach that state, while path functions depend on the path taken to reach a specific value. State functions can be integrated using only initial and final values, whereas path functions require multiple integrals and limits of integration for their integration.
Comparative Table: State Function vs Path Function
Here is a table comparing state functions and path functions:
| Property | State Function | Path Function |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | A property whose value does not depend on the path taken to reach that specific value. | A function that depends on the path taken to reach that specific value. |
| Examples | Entropy, enthalpy, mass, volume, temperature. | Heat and mechanical work. |
| Integration | The integral of a state function can be taken using only two values: the final and initial values. | Requires multiple integrals and limits of integration to integrate the property. |
| Values | The value of a state function remains the same regardless of the number of steps. | The value of a path function of a single step process is different from a multiple step process. |
In summary, state functions are properties that describe a particular state, without depending on the path taken to reach that state. On the other hand, path functions are functions that depend on the path taken to reach that specific value, and their values change based on the pathway taken. Both state and path functions are encountered in thermodynamics.
- Walk vs Path
- Role vs Function
- Relation vs Function
- Phase difference vs Path difference
- State vs Government
- System Call vs Function Call
- Function vs Formula
- State vs Nation
- Formal vs Functional Regions
- State vs Society
- Discrete Function vs Continuous Function
- Procedures vs Functions in Programming
- Stored Procedure vs Function
- Commonwealth vs State
- Microstate vs Macrostate
- Province vs State
- Pathology vs Pathophysiology
- path vs classpath
- Functional Programming vs Imperative Programming