Answer:
The difference between a solid, liquid, and gas lies in their physical properties and behaviors.
Solid
- Definition: A solid is a state of matter that has a fixed shape and volume. It is rigid and maintains its shape even under external forces.
Characteristics:
- Shape: Has a definite shape.
- Volume: Has a definite volume.
- Intermolecular Forces: Strong intermolecular forces between molecules.
- Compressibility: Incompressible.
- Density: High density.
- Kinetic Energy: Low kinetic energy.
- Examples: Sugar, salt, ice, wood, brick, gold.
Liquid
- Definition: A liquid is a state of matter that has a fixed volume but takes the shape of its container. It is less rigid than a solid.
Characteristics:
- Shape: Takes the shape of its container.
- Volume: Has a definite volume.
- Intermolecular Forces: Less strong intermolecular forces than solids.
- Compressibility: Slightly compressible.
- Density: Moderate density.
- Kinetic Energy: Moderate kinetic energy.
- Examples: Water, milk, coffee, blood, gasoline.
Gas
- Definition: A gas is a state of matter that has neither a fixed shape nor a fixed volume. It is highly compressible and expands to fill its container.
Characteristics:
- Shape: Takes the shape of its container.
- Volume: No definite volume.
- Intermolecular Forces: Weak intermolecular forces.
- Compressibility: Highly compressible.
- Density: Low density.
- Kinetic Energy: High kinetic energy.
- Examples: Oxygen, carbon dioxide, air, hydrogen.
These differences in physical properties and behaviors are essential for understanding various phenomena in our daily lives and in scientific applications.
