Question

The decreasing order of compressibility of states of matter is _______.
(A) Gas > Solid > Liquid
(B) Solid > Liquid > Gas
(C) Gas > Liquid > Solid
(D) Liquid > Gas > Solid

Answer 1

Hint: The compressibility of substance depends upon the average distance between the particles of matter. More the distance, high will be the compressibility of the matter and vice-versa.

Complete step by step answer:
We will compare the compressibility of the three states of matter- solid, liquid and gas.
 - Compressibility of a substance is its ability to get compressed. In simple words, the substance that has high compressibility can be compressed into a lower volume if we apply a certain amount of pressure on it.
- In order to compare the compressibility of three states, we need to know their structures and the arrangement of atoms in all of them.
- In solid state, the atoms or molecules are tightly bound to each other. There is no space between the molecules of the substance in this state. So, as there is no space between the molecules, no matter how much external pressure we give to them, the volume will not change. Thus, we can say that solids have the least compressibility.
- In a liquid state, the molecules have some space between them. So, they can move around. So, if we give very high pressure, there is some change in the volume of a liquid. So, liquids have more compressibility than solids.
- The gaseous state has the largest space between its constituent molecules. They are free to move everywhere. So, if we give external pressure, we can decrease the volume of the gas. So, we can say that gases have the highest compressibility.
Thus, if we arrange three states according to decreasing compressibility, the order will be
Gas > Liquid > Solid
So, the correct answer is “Option C”.

Note: Remember that as the particles in the solids are tightly bound, the density of the solids is generally higher than other states of matter. The gases have the largest distance between the particles and so that they have least density amongst the three states of matter.