Question

Arrange the density of three types of matter in decreasing order:
A. Gas, liquid, solid
B. Liquid, solid, gas
C. Liquid, gas, solid
D. Solid, gas, liquid
E. Solid, liquid, gas

Answer 1

Hint: Density of any given substance can be calculated as the ratio of the total mass of the substance to the total volume occupied by the substance. To derive the relation between the densities of solids, liquids and gases, let us understand a few characteristics of these states of matter.

Complete Step-by-Step Answer:
Solids: In solids,the particles of the substance are placed extremely close together. The forces of attraction between the atoms or molecules within a solid is very high. This leads to the particles being immobile, i.e. they are not able to move from their place. This results in giving the solids a definite physical shape, and by that virtue, a defined, finite and controlled volume. The density of 1 kg of a given slide would remain constant irrespective of the external influencing factors.
Liquids: In comparison to solids, the particles in liquids have relatively lower forces of attraction between them. This enables the liquid to exist without any definite geometry. But the volume of the liquid is definite and does not vary with variation in external factors.
Gases: Gases on the other hand have the weakest forces of attraction between them. They do not have definite volumes and can expand or compress in accordance with the external conditions.
For a given quantity of mass, the order of volume occupied by the different states of matter varies as follows:
Solid < liquid < gases.
Hence, for a fixed mass of a substance, the relation between the densities of the different states of matter is:
Gases < liquids < solids

Hence, Option A is the correct option.

Note: The particles in solids do not shift completely from their positions but have a range of free motion in which they can vibrate. Upon introduction of energy through a substance, the energy is transferred throughout the solid by the vibrations of the particles of the solid. This is known as conduction.