Process function
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| Thermodynamics |
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A process function, process quantity, or a path function is a physical quantity that describes the transition of a system from an equilibrium state to another equilibrium state. As an example, mechanical work and heat are process quantities because they describe quantitatively the transition between equilibrium states of thermodynamic systems. It depends on the heat done and how the state is reached. A property can be identified as a process (or path) function if it is in lower case.
Examples of path functions include work and heat.
See also
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