Identify the physical state of matter which can be easily compressed.
Identify the physical state of matter which can be easily compressed.
The correct option is B Gas
Compression means reducing the volume. When we compress something, we are decreasing the volume occupied by it.
When we try to compress a solid, like an iron slab, we would end up either changing the shape or breaking it but we won't really change the volume. This is because the molecules of a solid are very tightly packed. There isn't much space for them to be compressed.
Similarly, if we try to compress a liquid like water it's very difficult to make water occupy a lesser volume. It is not possible for a litre of water to occupy a volume of 500 ml. Of course there is more space between the molecules of a liquid, yet it's still difficult to compress it.
But gases are interesting. Gases have large spaces between the molecules. We can apply pressure and make a gas occupy a lesser space (volume). This is why we say gases are compressible.
Gas
Compression means reducing the volume. When we compress something, we are decreasing the volume occupied by it.
When we try to compress a solid, like an iron slab, we would end up either changing the shape or breaking it but we won't really change the volume. This is because the molecules of a solid are very tightly packed. There isn't much space for them to be compressed.
Similarly, if we try to compress a liquid like water it's very difficult to make water occupy a lesser volume. It is not possible for a litre of water to occupy a volume of 500 ml. Of course there is more space between the molecules of a liquid, yet it's still difficult to compress it.
But gases are interesting. Gases have large spaces between the molecules. We can apply pressure and make a gas occupy a lesser space (volume). This is why we say gases are compressible.
