Why is a gas easy to compress?
Understand the Problem
The question is asking about the properties of gases, specifically why they can be easily compressed compared to solids and liquids. It highlights the concept of molecular spacing and the behavior of gas particles under pressure.
Answer
Large intermolecular spaces.
The final answer is that gases are easy to compress because they have large intermolecular spaces between their molecules.
Answer for screen readers
The final answer is that gases are easy to compress because they have large intermolecular spaces between their molecules.
More Information
The large gaps between gas molecules result in weak intermolecular forces, making it possible to reduce the volume by applying pressure.
Tips
A common mistake is to confuse the compressibility of gases with that of liquids or solids, which have much smaller intermolecular spaces.
Sources
- Why gases are easily compressible - byjus.com
- Why are gases easy to compress? - mark-compressors.com
