physics - kinetic model of matter question

sgstudent09 SG

i'm confused and may someone enlighten me?

What's the reason liquid have a fixed volume? And what's the reason that it does not have a fixed shape?

I know this might be an easy question to many but I just cant seem to understand what my textbook says...thanks in advance !

dkcx SG

Isn't this a chemistry topic and not physics?

Liquids have not definite shape since all the molecules are not strongly held together so they are free to move around thus filling whatever container they are placed into.

Liquids cannot be compressed and thus have a fix volume because the gab between all the molecules are relatively small i would say. This prevents them from being further packed together unless turned to solid so its volume doesn't change.

sgstudent09 SG

^ this topic is in both chemistry and physics, but they emphasise on different points i guess.

thanks for your help. and btw, is it correct if i say "liquids have fixed volumes because the particles are confined within the vessel containing it?"

dkcx SG

^ this topic is in both chemistry and physics, but they emphasise on different points i guess.

thanks for your help. and btw, is it correct if i say "liquids have fixed volumes because the particles are confined within the vessel containing it?"

Not too sure. DId my O's so long ago and uni don't really care about such basics till i also 4get most of it...

I won't mark it wrong but maybe we can hear what ultimonline has to say since hes a former chem teacher.

davidche SG

^ this topic is in both chemistry and physics, but they emphasise on different points i guess.

thanks for your help. and btw, is it correct if i say "liquids have fixed volumes because the particles are confined within the vessel containing it?"

Im sure your textbook should have the impt keywords that describe why it does not have a fixed shape. If im not wrong, the particles are able to slide over each other.

FIxed vol because there is little space between the particles for the liquid to be compressed i think

eagle SG

Im sure your textbook should have the impt keywords that describe why it does not have a fixed shape. If im not wrong, the particles are able to slide over each other.

FIxed vol because there is little space between the particles for the liquid to be compressed i think

well answered