A state function is a property that depends on?

A state function is defined as a property of a system that depends solely on its current state, regardless of how that state was achieved. This means that the value of a state function is determined by the present conditions of the system, such as temperature, pressure, and volume, rather than the path taken to reach that state or any historical context.

For example, the internal energy of a system, enthalpy, and Gibbs free energy are all state functions. If you know the current state of the system (its temperature, pressure, and composition), you can determine properties like internal energy without needing to know how the system arrived at that state.

In contrast, properties that depend on a pathway or history, such as work done or heat transferred during a process, are not considered state functions because their values can vary depending on the steps taken to transition from one state to another. Thus, the current state of the system is the defining aspect of state functions, confirming that they are exclusively dependent on the present conditions established in that moment.