Gases, liquids and solids are all made up of microscopic particles, but the behaviors of these particles differ in the three phases. The following figure illustrates the microscopic differences.
Microscopic view of a gas. | Microscopic view of a liquid. | Microscopic view of a solid. |
Note that:
The following table summarizes properties of gases, liquids, and solids and identifies the microscopic behavior responsible for each property.
Some Characteristics of Gases, Liquids and Solids and the Microscopic Explanation for the Behavior | ||
---|---|---|
gas | liquid | solid |
assumes the shape and volume of its container
particles can move past one another |
assumes the shape of the part of the container which it
occupies
particles can move/slide past one another |
retains a fixed volume and shape
rigid - particles locked into place |
compressible
lots of free space between particles |
not easily compressible
little free space between particles |
not easily compressible
little free space between particles |
flows easily
particles can move past one another |
flows easily
particles can move/slide past one another |
does not flow easily
rigid - particles cannot move/slide past one another |