Question

Describe solids, liquids, and gases in terms of how they fill a container. Use your descriptions to identify the physical state (at room temperature) of the following: (a) helium in a toy balloon. (b) mercury in a thermometer. (c) soup in a bowl.

Answer 1

Solution

$\text{Solid state}$ is a state in which molecules are arrayed in a certain 3D pattern and they are very close to each other. There is a very small amount of intermolecule space.

$\text{Solids}$ do not fill a container they are put in(they do not conform to the shape of a container).

$\text{Liquid state}$ is a state in which molecules are close to each other but in no particular order and they also move at random.

$\text{Liquids}$ do fill a container they are put in but only up to the certain volume(they do conform to the shape of a container, but are limited by their volume).

$\text{Gaseous state}$ is a state in which molecules are very far from each other and there is a lot of intermolecule space. Molecules also move at random throughout the entire available space.

$\text{Gases }$ conform to the shape of the container and the molecules/atoms occupy the whole container and move randomly through container.

 

$\text{a) }$ Helium in a toy balloon is a gas. It occupies the entire available space(the entire volume of balloon).

$\text{b)}$ Mercury in thermometer is liquid because it conforms to the shape of the capillary tube of thermometer but only to a certain volume. If the volume is to big, thermometer cracks.

$\text{c)}$ Soup in the bowl is liquid because it conforms to the shape of the bowl but only to a certain volume (is limited by the volume capacity of the bowl). If we add to much soup to the bowl, it spills.

Therefore, 

$\text{olids}$ do $\text{not conform}$ to the shape of a container.

$\text{Liquids}$ do $\text{conform}$ to the shape of a container, but only up to the certain volume.

$\text{Gases}$ do $\text{conform}$ to the shape of a container.

$\text{a)}$ Helium in a balloon is a $\text{gas.}$

$\text{b)}$ Mercury in thermometer is a $\text{liquid.}$

$\text{a)}$ Soup in a bowl is a $\text{liquid.}$