Question

A diver is able to cut through water in a swimming pool. Which property of matter does this activity show?

Answer 1

Intermolecular spaces:

1. The spaces between two or more molecules of a substance is called intermolecular spaces.
2. Intermolecular forces are the forces of attraction between the molecules of a substance. These are strongest in solids and weakest in gases. Liquids have intermolecular forces stronger than gases but weaker than liquids.
3. The higher the intermolecular forces, the lower the intermolecular spaces will be.
4. Therefore, the intermolecular spaces of gases are the most and that of solids are the least. Also, the intermolecular spaces of liquids are less than that in gases and more than that in solids.
5. Here, a diver jumps into the water with some force, this force is enough to displace the water due to the presence of many intermolecular spaces.
6. This won't be possible if a person jumps on a solid, like road, as it has least intermolecular spaces. Whereas, a person can casually walk through the air as it has the most intermolecular spaces.

Hence, it shows the property of intermolecular spaces in the matter.