Question

Determine the decreasing order of the intermolecular spaces between particles of states of matter:
(a) Gas>Liquid>Solid
(b)Liquid>Solid>Liquid
(c) Liquid>Solid>Gas
(d) Solid>Liquid>Gas

Answer 1

Hint: (1) Solid, liquid and gas are the three states of matter.
(2) Gaseous state is the most random state of matter as the molecules move freely in all directions.
Complete step-by-step answer: We need to find out the decreasing order of the intermolecular spaces between the particles of the three states of matter.
In the solid state, matter has a definite volume and a definite shape. Solids are very hard and rigid. The constituent particles in a solid are very closely packed and the forces of attraction which holds the constituent particles are very high. Due to these strong forces of attraction, the constituent particles in a solid are very close to one another, i.e., the intermolecular distance between them is minimum. As a result, they cannot move freely, they move very little.
The liquid state of matter has a definite volume but do not have a definite shape. It is the intermediate state between solids and gases. Unlike solids, the constituent particles in a liquid are not very closely packed and the forces of attraction which holds the particles are comparatively less than that in solids. As a result, the constituent particles are not so close to one another, i.e., the intermolecular distance between them is more than that in solids and they can move freely than solids.
The gaseous state of matter does not possess either a definite volume or a definite shape. The constituent particles in a gas are loosely packed and the forces of attraction which holds the particles are the least in this state. As a result, the constituent particles in a gas are separated from one another by very large distances, i.e., the intermolecular spaces between gas particles are more than that in liquids and solids. Hence, the particles can move randomly in all directions.
Thus, the intermolecular spaces between particles of gases are the highest while the intermolecular spaces between liquid particles are higher than the intermolecular spaces between solid particles. Thus, option (a) gas>liquid>solid is correct.
Note: Solids have the highest forces of attraction between the particles and the separation between them is the least. Gases have the weakest forces of attraction between the particles and the separation between them is the highest.