Monday, February 7, 2011

How does the particle theory of matter explain why a gas has more compressibility than a liquid?

Solids, liquids and gases are different because the atoms (or particles) that make them up have different amounts of energy.  The amount of energy determines how the atoms or particles behave.  In solids the particles do not have much energy.  The particles in solids are tightly packed and locked in place, but still vibrate.  In liquids the particles have more energy.  This allows the particles in liquids to roll past each other, but they are still tightly packed.  In gases the particles have a lot of energy.  This means that they are not tightly packed and can move apart.  Gases can be compressed because the particles can be forced closer together.  The particles in a liquid are already as close as they can be.

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