Imagine that you are climbing a mountain. (b) Is the change in elevation between your base camp and the peak a state function?

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the concept of a state function: A state function is a property whose value does not depend on the path taken to reach that specific value. Common examples include internal energy, enthalpy, and entropy.
2. Identify the property in question: In this scenario, the property being discussed is the change in elevation between two points (base camp and the peak).
3. Analyze the dependency on the path: Consider whether the change in elevation would be different if you took different paths from the base camp to the peak.
4. Conclude based on path independence: If the change in elevation is the same regardless of the path taken, then it is a state function. If it varies with different paths, it is not a state function.
5. Apply the concept to the scenario: Since elevation at a specific location is fixed and does not depend on the path taken to reach that elevation, the change in elevation between two fixed points (base camp and peak) is a state function.

Key Concepts

State Functions

State functions are properties of a system that depend only on its current state, not on the path taken to reach that state. Examples include temperature, pressure, and elevation. In the context of thermodynamics, state functions are crucial for understanding how energy and matter behave in different conditions.

Path Functions

Path functions are properties that depend on the specific path taken to reach a particular state. Examples include work and heat. Unlike state functions, path functions can vary based on the process, making them essential for analyzing energy transfers in chemical reactions and physical changes.

Elevation Change

The change in elevation between two points, such as a base camp and a mountain peak, is a state function because it is determined solely by the difference in height between the two locations, regardless of the route taken to ascend. This concept illustrates how certain physical measurements can be classified as state functions in various contexts.