A liquid takes the shape of its container but has a fixed volume because its molecules
- A. are held in fixed positions in a lattice
- B. are close together but free to slide past one another
- C. are very far apart and move independently
- D. have no kinetic energy at all
Explanation
Intermolecular forces in a liquid are strong enough to keep the molecules in contact, which fixes the volume, but not strong enough to hold them in place, so they flow and take the shape of the vessel. Fixed positions in a lattice describe a solid, and wide separation with independent movement describes a gas. A liquid is therefore intermediate in both structure and freedom of movement.