Gases can be squeezed into a much smaller volume than liquids or solids can. What is the reason for this?
ATheir atoms sit in a fixed lattice arrangement
BTheir atoms attract each other very strongly
CTheir atoms are in continuous close contact
DTheir atoms are far apart with weak forces
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: D. Their atoms are far apart with weak forces
1. Compressing a substance means pushing its particles closer together.
2. In a gas the particles are separated by distances large compared with their own size, and the forces between them are very weak except during collisions.
3. There is therefore plenty of empty space to remove and little force opposing the squeeze, so gases compress easily.
4. A fixed lattice and continuous close contact both describe a solid, which resists compression because its atoms would be forced into one another.
5. Strong mutual attraction describes a liquid, which also resists compression.
_Source: OpenStax College Physics (CC BY 4.0), Ch 11 "Fluid Statics", section 11.1 What Is a Fluid?_
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