(a) Tabulate the differences in the characteristics of states of matter.

(b) Comment upon the following:

rigidity, compressibility, fluidity, filling a gas container, shape, kinetic energy and density.

(a) The difference in the characteristics of the three states of matter are:

(b) (i) Rigidity — It is the property of matter to continue to remain in its shape when treated with an external force.

(ii) Compressibility — It is the property of the particles of matter to contract their intermolecular space when exposed to an external force, thereby increasing its density.

(iii) Fluidity — It is the ability of a substance to flow or move about freely.

(iv) Filling a gas container — The particles of gas fill the entire container as the intermolecular spaces between the gas molecules is very large and hence the particles are free to move about in all directions.

(v) Shape — It is the definite structure of an object within an external boundary

(vi) Kinetic energy — Motion allows particles to possess energy which is referred to as kinetic energy.

K.E = $\dfrac{1}{2}$ mv², where

'm' is the mass and

'v' is the velocity of the particle.

(vii) Density — It is the mass of a unit volume of a substance.

d = $\dfrac{\text{m}}{\text{v}}$, where

d is the density,

m is the mass and

v is the volume of the substance