Chapter 3.1, Problem 1SSC

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

The states of matter should be described in terms of shape, volume, and compressibility.

Concept introduction:

There are three main types of matter: solid, liquid, gas. The states of matter classify all the substances according to their existence in nature. They are different from each other. The shape defines the fixed arrangement of the molecules, and the volume explains the quantity of the substance, the compressibility represents the hardness or softness or arrangement of the molecules in the substance.

Answer to Problem 1SSC

The property of the shape, volume, and compressibility differentiated the solid, liquid, and gas.

Explanation of Solution

The states of matter in terms of shape, volume, and compressibility are explained below:

Property	Solid	Liquid	Gas
Shape	The solid-state is the fix and stable character of the substance. The arrangement of the molecules is fixed and constant. The intermolecular space is negligible in the solid substance.	The arrangement of the liquid molecules is not fixed. They can change their position according to the container. The intermolecular space is found in the liquid molecules. They have the intermolecular attraction due to this the liquid can flow.	The intermolecular space is very high in the gaseous molecules. The gas molecules move freely in the atmosphere. The arrangement of the gas molecules is not fixed.
Volume	The volume of the solid substance is fixed and cannot change by applying external factors.	The volume is definite for the liquid.	The gaseous molecules have no definite volume.
Compressibility	The compressibility factor does not affect the molecular arrangement of the solid.	The intermolecular space decreasing in applying the compression in the liquid molecules.	The compression is changing the state of the gaseous molecules. There are large decreases in the intermolecular space between the molecules and get closer to each other.

Conclusion

From these three properties (shape, volume and compressibility) the solid, liquid, and gas can be distinct from each other. These properties explain the arrangements and movement tendencies of a substance.