Question

Why are gases so easily compressible whereas it is almost impossible to compress a solid or a liquid?

Answer 1

1. The kinetic theory of matter explains the physical properties of matter based on the motion of particles and their relative separation.
2. Based on the kinetic theory, the particles of the gases are farther apart from one another.
3. Thus the intermolecular space between the particles is very large.
4. Since the intermolecular space is very high, there is a very less intermolecular force of attraction between the particles.
5. So, the particles of the gas can move freely in any direction.
6. A gas can be compressed easily because its particles are far apart and there is large space between them.
7. In the case of solids and liquids, the space between the particles is smaller compared with gas. Hence, they are incompressible.

Thus, gas is easily compressible because its particles are far apart whereas solids and liquids are almost incompressible because the space between the particles is smaller.