Question

The state of matter in which the interparticle attraction is weak and the inter-particle space is so large that the particles become free to move randomly in the entire space is known as:
a.) Solid
b.) Liquid
c.) Gas
d.) Both A and B

Answer 1

Hint: The state of matter with low inter-particle attraction and large inter-particle space exists in the environment almost everywhere.

Complete step by step answer:
There are three natural states of matter: Solids, liquids, gases.

SOLIDS: The particles in a solid are very tightly packed and they do not move much. The electrons of each atom are constantly in motion, so the atoms have a small vibration, but they are fixed in their position. Therefore, the particles have a very low kinetic energy.

LIQUIDS: The particles in a liquid are more loosely packed than in a solid and are able to flow around each other. This gives liquid an indefinite shape. This is because the liquid conforms to the shape of its container. Like solids, liquids are very difficult to compress.

GASES: The particles of a gas have enormous space between them and have a high kinetic energy. A gas has no definite shape and volume. If the gas is unconfined, its particles will spread out indefinitely. If the gas is confined, it will expand to fill the whole container. When a gas is put under pressure by reducing the volume of the container, the space between particles is reduced and the gas is compressed.

Hence, the particles of gas have very less force of attraction between them and are very loosely packed.

Therefore, the correct answer is (C) Gas.

Note: Besides these three states of matter, there are two other states of matter, one natural (Plasma) and another man-made (Bose-Einstein condensate). Plasma is not a common state of matter here on Earth, but it may be the most common state of matter in the universe.