State of Matter Chemistry Example 2

Follow the full solution, then compare it with the other examples linked below.

Example 2

medium
Why can gases be compressed easily while liquids and solids cannot?

Solution

  1. 1
    In gases, particles are far apart with large empty spaces between them.
  2. 2
    Compression pushes the particles closer together, filling those empty spaces.
  3. 3
    In liquids and solids, particles are already very close together, so there is little empty space to compress into.

Answer

GasesĀ haveĀ largeĀ intermolecularĀ spacing;Ā liquids/solidsĀ doĀ not.\text{Gases have large intermolecular spacing; liquids/solids do not.}
The compressibility of gases is explained by the kinetic molecular theory. Gas particles occupy only about 0.1%0.1\% of the total volume at standard conditions ā€” the rest is empty space.

About State of Matter

The distinct physical forms that matter can take depending on the arrangement, spacing, and motion of its particles.

Learn more about State of Matter ā†’

More State of Matter Examples

Example 1 easy

Compare the three common states of matter (solid, liquid, gas) in terms of particle arrangement, sha

Example 3 easy

At room temperature, classify each as solid, liquid, or gas: (a) mercury, (b) oxygen, (c) table salt

Example 4 hard

Glass appears solid but some claim it is actually a very slow-moving liquid because old windows are

ā† All State of Matter Examples State of Matter Concept