Which of the following investigations is an example of studying an intensive property?

• A. Determining the mass of a block of copper
• B. Calculating the total volume of a gas in a container
• C. Recording the energy released during combustion of a fuel
• D. Measuring the density of a sample of water

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the difference between intensive and extensive properties: Intensive properties do not depend on the amount of substance present (e.g., density, temperature, color), while extensive properties depend on the amount of substance (e.g., mass, volume, total energy).
2. Analyze each option to determine whether the property being measured depends on the quantity of the sample:
3. - Mass of a block of copper depends on how much copper is present, so it is an extensive property.
4. - Total volume of a gas depends on the amount of gas, so it is an extensive property.
5. - Energy released during combustion depends on the amount of fuel burned, so it is an extensive property.
6. - Density of a sample of water is mass divided by volume, both of which change with sample size, but their ratio (density) remains constant regardless of sample size, making it an intensive property.