Question

Identify each of the following as a solid, a liquid, or a gas: a. popcorn in a bag b. water in a garden hose c. a computer mouse \(\mathbf{d}\). air in a tire e. hot tea

Short answer

a. solid, b. liquid, c. solid, d. gas, e. liquid

Step-by-step solution

Identify popcorn in a bag

Popcorn is composed of solid kernels, even though they are in a bag. Therefore, popcorn in a bag is a solid.

Identify water in a garden hose

Water is a fluid that takes the shape of its container but maintains a consistent volume. Therefore, water in a garden hose is a liquid.

Identify a computer mouse

A computer mouse maintains a fixed shape and volume and does not flow. Therefore, a computer mouse is a solid.

Identify air in a tire

Air is composed of particles that are far apart and can fill the volume of any container. Therefore, air in a tire is a gas.

Identify hot tea

Hot tea is a liquid with a fluid property but retains a consistent volume. Therefore, hot tea is a liquid.

Key concepts

solid

Solids are materials with a definite shape and volume. They do not flow and maintain their form unless a force changes them. Popcorn in a bag and a computer mouse are both examples of solids. The popcorn kernels stay the same shape regardless of the bag, and the computer mouse doesn't change form unless broken.

• Solids have tightly packed particles, giving them rigidity.
• They do not conform to the shape of their container.
• Examples include wood, ice, and metals.

This property makes solids easy to identify compared to liquids and gases.

liquid

Liquids have a definite volume but no definite shape. They conform to the shape of their container. Water in a garden hose and hot tea are both liquids. The water takes the form of the hose, and the hot tea conforms to the cup.

• Liquids have particles that are less tightly packed than solids, allowing them to flow.
• They maintain a consistent volume.
• Examples include milk, oil, and juice.

Liquids are unique because they can move and take different shapes while keeping the same volume.

gas

Gases have neither a definite shape nor a definite volume. They fill any container they are in, spreading out to fit. Air in a tire is an example of a gas. The air particles move freely, filling the entire space of the tire.

• Gases have particles that are far apart from each other, giving them high compressibility.
• They can expand or contract based on the container size.
• Examples include oxygen, carbon dioxide, and nitrogen.

Gases are different from solids and liquids due to their ability to fill any given space completely.