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States of matter

  • HESI A2
  • Chemistry
  • Multiple choice
  • Difficulty 2 of 5

Question

A sealed sample keeps its volume when moved to a differently shaped vessel, but it takes the vessel's shape. Which state best fits these observations?

  1. Solid✗ Incorrect

    A solid retains its own shape as well as its volume.

  2. Liquid✓ Correct

    A liquid retains its volume while conforming to its container.

  3. Gas✗ Incorrect

    A gas has neither a fixed volume nor a fixed shape.

  4. A state that must be identified by color✗ Incorrect

    The stated shape and volume behavior identifies the state without a color observation.

Answer

B. Liquid

Rationale

The sample changes shape without changing volume, which identifies a liquid. A solid holds its shape; a gas expands and has no fixed volume.

RememberA liquid keeps its volume but takes the shape of its container.

Sources

  • DOE-HDBK-1015/1-93 U.S. Department of Energy · License: US government work (public domain) · Retrieved · Page 23

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