Why can a liquid change to take the shape of its container but NOT expand to fill the container itself?

Responses
A because the particles of a liquid have a definite shape but no definite volumebecause the particles of a liquid have a definite shape but no definite volume
B because the particles of a liquid are the result of both solid and gaseous phases combiningbecause the particles of a liquid are the result of both solid and gaseous phases combining
C because the particles of a liquid are held together loosely enough to flow, but not so loose that they expandbecause the particles of a liquid are held together loosely enough to flow, but not so loose that they expand
D because the particles of a liquid expend large amounts of energy in the flowing process and do not have any left to expand

1 answer

The correct response is:

C because the particles of a liquid are held together loosely enough to flow, but not so loose that they expand.

Liquids can take the shape of their container because their particles can move past each other freely. However, the intermolecular forces are still strong enough to keep them relatively close together, preventing them from expanding to fill the entire volume of the container like gases do.