Question

Gases have large interparticle spaces between the molecules, this accounts for the high _____of gases.

Answer 1

Hint : The large inter-particle spacing between gas molecules is an indication that these molecules have weak intermolecular forces between them. This means that the molecules are free to move. Once a certain amount of pressure is applied on them, they compress into whatever space they are pushed into.

Complete Step By Step Answer:
Gases have large interparticle spaces between the molecules, this accounts for the high compressibility of gases.
There are three states of matter: solids, liquids and gases. Solids have particles that are tightly packed, retaining their shape, size and volume. They are incompressible. Liquids have properties intermediate to gases and solids: their particles are loosely bound than in solids. They do not have a particular shape and they take on the shape of the container. They are compressible to some extent. Gases on the other hand, have free moving particles in all directions. They do not have particular shape or size as the particles are under continuous random movement. In terms of intermolecular forces in the three states of matter, solids have the strongest intermolecular forces and gases have the weakest intermolecular forces. Liquids have intermolecular forces intermediate between that of solid particles and gaseous particles.
The large inter-particle spacing between gas particles allows their free movement. When pressure is applied, gases compress and take up lesser volumes than before, making them highly compressible.

Note :
This property of high compressibility in gases is exhibited in real life: Balloons filled with air can be squeezed into different shapes; in cycle pumps and syringes, on pushing the piston gas gets compressed; LPG gas is compressed into cylinders for usage at homes.