Which of the following best describes the arrangement and movement of particles in a solid?

• A. Particles are randomly distributed and move rapidly throughout the container.
• B. Particles are closely packed in a fixed, orderly arrangement and vibrate in place.
• C. Particles are far apart and move freely in all directions.
• D. Particles are loosely arranged and slide past one another.

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the states of matter and how particles behave in each state: solid, liquid, and gas.
2. Recall that in a solid, particles are tightly packed together in a fixed, orderly pattern, which gives solids a definite shape and volume.
3. Recognize that particles in a solid do not move freely; instead, they vibrate in place because they are held together by strong intermolecular forces.
4. Compare this behavior to liquids, where particles are close but can slide past each other, and gases, where particles are far apart and move rapidly in all directions.
5. Conclude that the best description for particles in a solid is that they are closely packed in a fixed, orderly arrangement and vibrate in place.