Why are gases able to be compressed but not liquids or solids?
The molecules in a gas are far apart from each other in a random arrangement unlike liquids where the molecules are packed together but not in a orderly arrangement, which can still move around a bit, and solids, where the molecules are closely packed into an orderly arrangement and they can only vibrate in their fixed positions, therefore gas molecules can move freely and can be compressed into the spaces between them.
Why do gases and liquids take the shape of their containers but not solids?
The molecules in a solid are closely packed in an orderly arrangement, thus allowing them to only vibrate in their fixed positions. However, the molecules in a liquid and solid still allow movement for the molecules and so they can take the shape of their containers.
How do particles look in solid vs liquid vs gaseous? Observe its distances and kinetic energy.
The particles in a solid are packed closely together, so there is very little kinetic energy. The particles in a liquid are packed together but not in an orderly arrangement, so there is more kinetic energy than a solid. The particles in a gas are far apart from each other, so there is the most kinetic energy.
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