Why are gases so much more compressible than solids or liquids?
The correct answer and explanation is:
Correct Answer:
Gases are much more compressible than solids or liquids because gas particles are far apart with a lot of empty space between them, allowing them to be compressed easily.
Explanation:
The compressibility of a substance depends on how closely its particles are packed. In solids, the particles are tightly packed in a fixed arrangement. This structure leaves very little empty space between the particles, which makes solids rigid and almost incompressible. Even under high pressure, the particles in a solid cannot be pushed significantly closer together.
Liquids have more space between particles compared to solids, but still relatively little compared to gases. The particles in a liquid are close together but not in a fixed position. This allows liquids to flow and take the shape of their container. However, because the particles are still relatively close, there is limited room for compression. Applying pressure to a liquid only slightly decreases its volume.
Gases are different. The particles in a gas are widely spaced and move freely in all directions. Most of the volume occupied by a gas is empty space. Because of this, gases can be compressed much more easily. When pressure is applied to a gas, the particles are pushed closer together, significantly reducing the volume without changing the gas’s mass. This characteristic is the basis for many applications, including gas cylinders, air compressors, and internal combustion engines.
The kinetic molecular theory of gases supports this explanation. It states that gas particles are in constant random motion and that the forces of attraction between them are negligible compared to solids and liquids. As a result, gases expand to fill their containers and compress when external pressure is applied, making them far more compressible than solids or liquids.