Question

Liquids are similar to gases because (a) both possess the property of flowing and take the volume of the containers (b) both diffuse and take the shape of the containers (c) both are readily compressible and diffuse (d) both are capable of infinite expansion.

Short answer

The correct option is (a) both possess the property of flowing and take the volume of the containers.

Step-by-step solution

Identify Properties of Liquids and Gases

Firstly, identify and understand the properties that are common between liquids and gases. Both liquids and gases can flow and thus they are called fluids. They will both take the shape of the part of the container they are in and will fill any container they are in to a certain extent. Gases are compressible and can expand infinitely whereas liquids have a fixed volume and are not easily compressed.

Review the Options

Analyze each option provided in the question to determine which properties described are accurate for both liquids and gases. Review compressibility, the property of flowing, the ability to diffuse, take the shape of the container, the volume of containers, and capability of infinite expansion.

Choose the Correct Option

Eliminate the options which contain properties that are exclusive to gases, such as being readily compressible or capable of infinite expansion. Then select the statement that accurately represents a property shared by both liquids and gases.

Key concepts

Fluid Mechanics

Fluid mechanics is the branch of physics concerned with the behavior of fluids (liquids and gases) and the forces on them. It plays a crucial role in understanding not only how liquids and gases behave under various conditions but also in solving practical problems in engineering and science.

One of the fundamental properties of fluids is their ability to flow. This property defines a fluid and sets it apart from solids. Unlike a solid, a fluid has no fixed shape and will conform to the shape of its container. This ability to flow makes studying fluid mechanics complex, as the motion and distribution of fluid particles need to be analyzed in various scenarios.
When we think about fluids, we often think about water flowing in a river or air blowing through a vent. But the applications are much vaster, ranging from designing pipelines and hydraulic systems to predicting weather patterns and understanding blood circulation in the human body.

Compressibility of Gases

In contrast to liquids, gases have a property known as compressibility, which is their ability to decrease in volume under pressure. The molecules in a gas are relatively far apart and move freely, allowing the gas to expand to fill the available space or compress when pressure is applied.

Compressibility is a key concept in various applications, from the operation of pneumatic systems to the science of aeronautics. It explains why gases can be stored in high-pressure containers and play a role in understanding sound waves and thermodynamics. Knowing how different gases compress under varying pressures and temperatures is essential for the safe and efficient design of equipment that uses gases, such as engines and HVAC systems.

Diffusion in Fluids

Diffusion is the gradual mixing of molecules by random motion, from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration. It is not just a property of gases, but also liquids, allowing substances to spread out until evenly distributed without the need for stirring or shaking.

In gases, diffusion occurs rapidly due to the large distances between molecules and their rapid movement. In contrast, diffusion in liquids is slower because the molecules are closer together and move more sluggishly. Understanding diffusion is essential in fields such as environmental science to predict the spread of pollutants, and in medicine, for drug delivery systems. Implications of diffusion are wide-ranging, impacting scent spreading in a room, the carbonation process in beverages, and even the assimilation of nutrients in cells.