Which statement correctly explains why liquids can flow?

The Correct answer is Liquids have loosely packed molecules that slide past each other.

Key Points

• Liquids have loosely packed molecules, meaning their particles are not tightly bound as in solids.
• The molecules in a liquid are held together by intermolecular forces, but these forces are weak enough to allow the molecules to move freely and slide past one another.
• Liquids exhibit a property called fluidity, which allows them to flow and take the shape of the container they occupy.
• Due to the weak intermolecular forces, liquid molecules have enough kinetic energy to overcome these forces partially, enabling free movement.
• This ability to flow distinguishes liquids from solids, where molecules are rigidly fixed, and gases, where molecules move independently with negligible intermolecular forces.
• The sliding motion of molecules gives liquids unique properties such as viscosity, which determines how easily a liquid flows.
• Examples of liquids that exhibit flow include water, oil, and milk, where the molecular structure enables their fluid behavior.

 Additional Information

• Liquids have no intermolecular forces
  • This statement is incorrect because all liquids have intermolecular forces, although they are weaker compared to solids. These forces are crucial for maintaining the liquid state.
  • Examples of intermolecular forces in liquids include hydrogen bonding, van der Waals forces, and dipole interactions.
• Liquids do not have kinetic energy
  • This is incorrect as molecules in a liquid possess kinetic energy, which allows them to move and slide past each other.
  • Kinetic energy is directly related to the temperature of the liquid, meaning higher temperatures result in faster molecular movement.
• Liquid molecules move randomly without any restriction
  • This is not entirely accurate because while liquid molecules do move randomly, their motion is influenced by intermolecular forces, which impose some restrictions.
  • Complete random motion is characteristic of gases rather than liquids.