Question

Why can a liquid change to take the shape of its container but NOT expand to fill the container itself?

Answer 1

C.) They are held together loosely enough to flow, but not so loose that they expand

Answer 2

Answer: Option (C) is the correct answer.

Explanation:

Molecules in a liquid have less force of attraction as compared to solids. But liquid molecules have more force of attraction as compared to gases.

Since molecules of a gas are held together by weak Vander waal forces, therefore, they expand to fill the container whereas molecules in a liquid are not expanded in a container like gases because of more force of attraction within molecules of liquids as compared to gases.

Hence, a liquid can take the shape of container in which it is kept.

Thus, we can conclude that out of the given options, a liquid change to take the shape of its container but NOT expand to fill the container itself because the particles of a liquid are held together loosely enough to flow, but not so loose that they expand.