Which statements best describe gases? Check all that apply.

Question

The atoms in a gas move at high speeds.
The atoms in a gas often get stuck together.
The atoms in a gas spread in all directions.
Gases have a definite shape.
Gases have a definite volume.

Answer 1

The statements that best describe gases are:

1. The atoms in a gas move at high speeds.
2. The atoms in a gas spread in all directions.

The other statements do not accurately describe gases:

• The atoms in a gas often get stuck together. (This is not true; gas particles are generally far apart and do not stick together.)
• Gases have a definite shape. (Gases take the shape of their container, so they do not have a definite shape.)
• Gases have a definite volume. (Gases do not have a definite volume; they expand to fill their container.)