How do liquids and gases differ from solids?
Solids are not ‘Fluids’…they do not flow. Liquids and gases are fluids …Able to flow. Solids are rigid substances with high intermolecular attraction. Their molecules vibrate in the same position within their structure. (Kinetic energy). They occupy a definite volume and have definite shape. Liquids have no definite shape but do have definite volume. They will take the shape of their container. They have less intermolecular attraction than solids and, being fluids, their molecules have freedom to move around and over each other. Their Kinetic Energy is greater than that of solids. Gases have no definite shape nor volume. They have little to no intermolecular attraction and are widely spaced. Gases will fill the volume available to them. Their Kinetic Energy is greater than that of liquids. Gases are highly compressible. Solids and liquids are considered to be virtually incompressible.
