Question

Why is a rubber band considered as a solid?
A. It takes the shape of the container
B. It has fixed volume
C. It has negligible compressibility
D. It changes shape under force and regains the shape when the force is removed

Answer 1

Hint: The solids are considered as the compounds where the molecules are held tightly together. The solid has fixed shape and fixed volume. The rubber bands possess the property of elasticity.

Complete step by step answer:
The matter can be classified into mainly three forms depending on the states and its physical properties.
Solid: The properties of solids are shown below.
(1) In solids, the particles are tightly held together and arranged in the close packed structure.
(2) Solid compounds have fixed shape and volume.
(3) Due to the rigid structure of solid, the particles of solid can only vibrate and cannot move.
Liquids: The properties of liquids are shown below.
(1) In a liquid state, the particles are packed less tightly as compared to the solid.
(2) Liquids can change their shape according to the container in which they are placed.
(3) Liquids have fixed volume but they do not possess fixed shape.
Gases: The properties of gases are shown below.
(1) In gases the particles are placed away from each other.
(2) The gases particles can move freely as there is no force of attraction.
(3) The gases do not have any fixed shape or fixed volume.
The rubber band is considered as solid because as we apply force and stretch the rubber band it changes its shape and gets elongated but after releasing the force, it moves back to its original shape. This property of rubber is known as elasticity.
Therefore, the correct option is D.

Note:
Don’t get confused by the property of solid as it possesses fixed shape and fixed volume as the particles are tightly held together in a closed packed structure.