Which of the following best describes the physical properties of a liquid?

• A. Liquids have a definite volume but take the shape of their container.
• B. Liquids are rigid and incompressible.
• C. Liquids have neither definite shape nor definite volume.
• D. Liquids have a definite shape and volume.

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Recall the three common states of matter: solid, liquid, and gas, each with distinct physical properties related to shape and volume.
2. Understand that solids have both definite shape and definite volume because their particles are tightly packed in a fixed arrangement.
3. Recognize that gases have neither definite shape nor definite volume; they expand to fill their container completely.
4. Know that liquids have a definite volume because their particles are close together, but they do not have a definite shape and instead take the shape of their container.
5. Therefore, the best description of liquids is that they have a definite volume but take the shape of their container.