Q12.2 P - Chemistry: Molecular Nature Of Matter And Change

Question

(a) Why are gases more easily compressed than liquids?

(b) Why do liquids have a greater ability to flow than solids?

Step-by-Step Solution

Answer

1. Gases are more compressible than liquids because of the fewer intermolecular interactions in gases compared to liquids.
2. Liquids have a greater ability to flow than solids because of the fewer intermolecular interactions in liquids than in solids.

Step 1: Random motion

Less intermolecular interactions between the gaseous molecules render gaseous molecules randomly moving in the volume provided.

Step 2: Insignificant volume

Thus, the actual volume of gaseous molecules is very less in comparison to the volume of the container which consists of the same.

Step 3: Compressibility factor

Because of these less intermolecular interactions and negligible molecular volume, the compressibility of the gases is easy in comparison to liquids.

Step 4: Interactions in liquid

Liquids have a greater ability to flow than solids because of the fewer intermolecular interactions in liquids than in solids.

Liquids have comparatively fewer intermolecular interactions than gaseous molecules.

Step 5: External force applied

This makes the liquids less resistive to any external force applied in comparison to the solids.

Step 6: Liquid flow

Thus, the flow of liquids which renders breakdown of the existing intermolecular interactions because of the force applied is easy.