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Answer: (3) Path functions

Heat (Q) and work (W) are energy in transit. Their values depend on how a system goes from one state to another (the path), not only on the initial and final states. For example, the work done by a gas between the same two states is different for an isothermal and an adiabatic path (it is the area under the P–V curve).

Quantities like internal energy U, pressure, volume and temperature depend only on the state, so they are state (point) functions. Heat and work are therefore path functions, not state variables.

Doubtly AI · 23 Oct 2026 AI-verified · Oct 2026 Report
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