Which properties result from minimal interactions between molecules in a gas?
A. A characteristic geometric shape and limited particle motion
B. A random shape, limited particle motion, and inability to be compressed
C. A random shape, significant particle motion, and ability to be compressed
D. A characteristic geometric shape, significant particle motion, and inability to be compressed
C of course. Molecules travel independently.
C. A random shape, significant particle motion, and ability to be compressed
Well, it's like a wild party in there! The molecules in a gas like to move around, bumping into each other and spreading out. They don't really care about neat geometric shapes. And boy, can they get close! You can compress a gas because those molecules are happy to squeeze together. So, in a gas, there's lots of random chaos, lively particle motion, and a squishy ability to be compressed. Quite the party, if you ask me!
The correct answer is C. A random shape, significant particle motion, and ability to be compressed.
To determine which properties result from minimal interactions between molecules in a gas, let's analyze each option and see which one aligns with the characteristics of gases:
Option A: A characteristic geometric shape and limited particle motion.
Gases do not have a characteristic geometric shape. Instead, they take the shape and volume of their container. Additionally, gases have significant particle motion due to their high kinetic energy. So, option A is not correct.
Option B: A random shape, limited particle motion, and inability to be compressed.
Gases indeed have a random shape, as they fill the container they are in. However, gases have significant particle motion and can be compressed. The particles in a gas move freely and quickly, while the compressibility of gases is a known characteristic. Therefore, option B is not correct.
Option C: A random shape, significant particle motion, and ability to be compressed.
This option correctly describes the properties resulting from minimal interactions between molecules in a gas. Gases have a random shape, as they take the shape of their container. They also have significant particle motion due to the high kinetic energy of the gas molecules. Additionally, gases are compressible, meaning their volume can be reduced under pressure. So, option C is correct.
Option D: A characteristic geometric shape, significant particle motion, and inability to be compressed.
Gases do not have a characteristic geometric shape. They take the shape of their container, so option D is incorrect.
Therefore, the correct answer is option C: A random shape, significant particle motion, and ability to be compressed.