What is difference between path function and point function in thermodyanaMICS?

Answer 1

• Path function: Their magnitudes depend on the path followed during a process as well as the end states. Work (W), heat (Q) are path functions.
• The cyclic integral of a path function is non-zero. work and heat are path functions.

• Point Function: They depend on the state only, and not on how a system reaches that state. All properties are point functions.
• The cyclic integral of a point function is zero. properties are point functions, (ie pressure,volume,temperature and entropy).

Answer 2

A path function in thermodynamics depends on the path taken to reach a particular state, such as work and heat, while a point function depends only on the state of the system, like temperature, pressure, and internal energy. Path functions are not uniquely determined by the initial and final states, while point functions are determined by the state variables of the system at a specific moment regardless of how the system reached that state.