density is the example of an intensive physical property of matter. what does this statement mean?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Physical_property
The statement means that density is an example of an intensive physical property of matter. To understand this, let's break it down:
- Physical property: A physical property is a characteristic or attribute of matter that can be observed or measured without changing the substance's chemical composition. Examples of physical properties include color, odor, mass, volume, and density.
- Intensive property: An intensive property is a physical property of matter that remains constant regardless of the amount or size of the sample being observed. In other words, it does not depend on the quantity or scale of the substance. Instead, it is inherent to the material itself.
Now, let's apply this understanding to density:
- Density: Density is a physical property that refers to the amount of mass per unit volume of a substance. It is calculated by dividing the mass of an object by its volume. Density is expressed in units such as grams per cubic centimeter (g/cm³) or kilograms per cubic meter (kg/m³).
- Intensive property of density: Density is considered an intensive property because it remains the same regardless of the size or amount of the substance being observed. Whether you have a small or large sample of the same substance, the density will remain constant. For example, if you have a small cube of steel and a large block of steel, both will have the same density as long as they are made of the same material.
In summary, stating "density is an example of an intensive physical property of matter" means that density is a characteristic of matter that remains constant regardless of the quantity or scale of the substance, making it a useful property for identifying and comparing materials.