Which statement best describes the properties of a liquid?

• A. Density: high; Arrangement: regular; Movement: vibrate around fixed position; Energy: low
• B. Density: medium; Arrangement: randomly arranged; Movement: move around each other; Energy: greater
• C. Density: low; Arrangement: randomly arranged; Movement: move quickly in all directions; Energy: greatest
• D. Density: medium; Arrangement: regular; Movement: stay in one place; Energy: medium

Answer: (B)

Liquids sit between solids and gases in how tightly packed the particles are, how ordered they are, and how freely they move. A liquid has a definite volume but takes the shape of its container, and its density is intermediate—not as high as most solids and not as low as gases. The particles are not in a fixed lattice; they are randomly arranged and can slide past one another, which allows the liquid to flow. Because the particles are less restricted than in a solid, their energy is higher, though not as high as in a gas where particles move rapidly and spread apart widely.

The description that matches this behavior is: medium density, randomly arranged particles, movement around each other, and energy greater than that of a solid. The other statements describe solids (high density, regular arrangement, vibrating in fixed positions) or gases (low density, rapid movement in all directions, greatest energy) or mix an incorrect arrangement with liquid-like behavior, which doesn’t fit liquids’ ability to flow.