- Solids have fixed shape and volume. Liquids have fixed volume but take the shape of the container from the bottom up, forming a free surface under gravity. Gases take the shape and volume of the entire container. - Gases expand to fill whatever container they are in, meaning they do not form a distinct boundary or "free surface" in the way liquids do. - Lack of colour (A) is not universal for gases (e.g., NO2 is brown). - Ability to flow (B) is characteristic of both liquids and gases (they are both fluids). - Ability to exert a buoyant force (D) is also characteristic of both liquids and gases (both are fluids).
Gases may be distinguished from other forms of matter by their :
Asked in UPSC CAPF 2010 · Topic: Physical Properties of Materials (Viscosity and Surface Tension)
Show answer
Answer: C. inability to form free surfaces.
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