It is known that matter is anything that has mass and occupies space. Matter exist in three forms; solid, liquid and gas.
- Molecular properties of solid
- It has a fixed shape because molecules cannot change position due to strong intermolecular forces.
- It has a fixed volume because the molecules can neither be brought any closer nor any further apart (molecules are closely packed).
- It has a strong intermolecular force between molecules hence closely packed.
- It cannot be compressed
- Molecular properties of liquid
- It has no fixed shape because molecules can change position with one another but can take the shape of a container in which it is put.
- It has a fixed volume because the molecules can neither be brought any further nor closer.
- Has a weak intermolecular force between molecules hence molecules can change position.
- It is slightly compressible, that is I containers etc.
- Molecular properties in gas
- It does not have a fixed volume
- It does not have a fixed shape
- It has a very weak or negligible intermolecular force between molecules
- It is highly compressible, that is it can take the shape of any material
