The correct option is **C. Gases expand to fill their container and have no definite shape or volume.** ### Detailed Explanation: 1. **Understanding the States of Matter**: - Matter exists in three primary states: solids, liquids, and gases. Each state has distinct characteristics based on the arrangement and behavior of its particles. 2. **Characteristics of Gases**: - **No Definite Shape**: Gases do not have a fixed shape. Instead, they take the shape of the container they are in. For example, if you pour air into a balloon, the air will expand to fill the entire balloon, taking on its shape. - **No Definite Volume**: Gases also do not have a fixed volume. They will expand to fill the entire volume of their container. This is in contrast to solids and liquids, which maintain a specific volume regardless of the container. 3. **Why Option C is Correct**: - The statement in option C accurately describes the behavior of gases. When a gas is placed in a container, it spreads out and fills the entire space available to it. This behavior is due to the high kinetic energy of gas particles, which allows them to move freely and rapidly in all directions. 4. **Why the Other Options are Incorrect**: - **Option A: Gases have a definite shape and volume.** - This statement is incorrect because it describes solids, not gases. Solids have a definite shape and volume due to closely packed particles that vibrate in place. Gases, on the other hand, do not have a fixed shape or volume. - **Option B: Gases are incompressible and maintain a fixed volume.** - This statement is also incorrect. Gases are compressible, meaning they can be squeezed into a smaller volume. This is due to the large amount of space between gas particles. In contrast, liquids are relatively incompressible and maintain a fixed volume. - **Option D: Gases have stronger intermolecular forces than solids.** - This statement is false. In fact, gases have much weaker intermolecular forces compared to solids. In solids, particles are held together tightly by strong intermolecular forces, which is why they maintain a definite shape and volume. In gases, the intermolecular forces are so weak that they do not significantly affect the motion of the particles, allowing them to move freely. ### Summary of Key Points: - Gases have no definite shape or volume and expand to fill their container. - Solids have a definite shape and volume due to strong intermolecular forces. - Gases are compressible, unlike liquids, which maintain a fixed volume. - The intermolecular forces in gases are weaker than those in solids. This understanding of the behavior of gases compared to liquids and solids is fundamental in chemistry and helps explain various phenomena, such as gas laws and the behavior of gases under different conditions.