Which phase has definite volume but no definite shape and will fit the shape of its container?

Which phase has definite volume but no definite shape and will fit the shape of its container?

• A. Vapors
• B. Liquids
• C. Gases
• D. Solids

Answer: (B)

Liquids have a definite volume but take the shape of their container because their particles are held together enough to keep a fixed amount, yet they can flow past one another to fill the space available. This flow lets the liquid conform to the container’s shape without expanding to fill the entire space like a gas would. Solids, by contrast, keep both a definite shape and volume, while gases have neither a definite shape nor a definite volume and will spread to fill whatever space they occupy. Vapors refer to gaseous forms of substances that are typically liquids or solids at room temperature, so they behave like gases in terms of shape and volume rather than like liquids.

Liquids have a definite volume but take the shape of their container because their particles are held together enough to keep a fixed amount, yet they can flow past one another to fill the space available. This flow lets the liquid conform to the container’s shape without expanding to fill the entire space like a gas would. Solids, by contrast, keep both a definite shape and volume, while gases have neither a definite shape nor a definite volume and will spread to fill whatever space they occupy. Vapors refer to gaseous forms of substances that are typically liquids or solids at room temperature, so they behave like gases in terms of shape and volume rather than like liquids.