Question

Why are gases highly compressible?

Answer 1

Hint: When a certain volume of matter, whether solid, liquid, or gas, is placed under pressure, its compressibility is measured. The intermolecular gap between the particles of a matter determines its compressibility. The more space between the particles, the looser the matter is packed and the more likely it is to compress.

Complete step by step solution:
The degree of compressibility of a substance is directly related to intermolecular spacing. The more space between the particles, the more likely the constituent particle will compress after the pressure is applied. Because the particles in a gas molecule are loosely packed, the intermolecular distance between them in gas is much larger than in a liquid or solid. The majority of the volume of gas is made up of space between the particles. The average distance between two gas molecules at normal temperature and standard pressure is around ten times the diameter of the entire molecule. When pressure is applied to gases, they compress more easily than solids and liquids.

Additional Information: Compressibility is the property of being compressed by pressure into a smaller space. The change in bulk is generated by the pressure forcing the particles closer together, and this property is caused by porosity. Fluid compressibility is a measurement of the density change that a given pressure change will cause in the fluid.

Note: It is important to note that just because gases are more compressible than liquids and solids doesn't mean they can't be compressed. They can also be compressed, but this requires a greater amount of pressure. Solid particles are closer to one another than those in liquids and gases. As a result, the maximum force is used to compress solids. Compression reduces the amount of space between particles.