Question
State the characteristics of gases.
Answer
Gases have the following characteristics:
- Compressibility: Gases are highly compressible because the molecules in gases are far apart from each other, and their intermolecular forces are weak. Therefore, when pressure is applied, gases can be compressed to occupy smaller volumes.
- Expansibility: Gases are highly expansible because their molecules move randomly in all directions, and there is no fixed shape or volume for gases.
- Low Density: Gases have low density because their molecules are widely spaced apart from each other, and they occupy a large volume relative to their mass.
- High Diffusivity: Gases have high diffusivity because of their random motion, and they can easily spread out and mix with other gases.