What is the defining characteristic of an extensive physical property?

An extensive physical property is defined by its dependence on the quantity of matter present. This means that the value of an extensive property, such as mass, volume, or total energy, will change if the amount of substance changes. For instance, if you have a block of ice and you cut it in half, the mass and volume of each half will be different, illustrating how these properties scale with the quantity of the material.

In contrast, intensive properties, such as temperature or density, do not change regardless of the amount of substance. Understanding this distinction is essential for various applications in power engineering, where analyzing properties based on system size and material is crucial for design and operational efficiency.