In states of matter, which of the following states is highly compressible because there is a large amount of empty space between its particles?

Introduction / Context:
In basic physics and chemistry, the three common states of matter are solids, liquids, and gases. These states differ in particle arrangement, movement, and the amount of empty space between particles. One of the key properties compared in exams is compressibility, which measures how easily the volume of a substance can be reduced by applying pressure. This question asks you to identify which state of matter is highly compressible due to large spaces between its particles.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The states considered are solid, liquid, and gas.
• Compressibility refers to how much the volume can decrease under pressure.
• We consider ordinary conditions, not extreme cases like very high pressures.
• The question is at the school level, focusing on general properties rather than exceptions.

Concept / Approach:
In solids, particles are packed closely together in fixed positions, so there is very little empty space to compress; solids are almost incompressible. Liquids have particles that are close together but can move past one another, giving them a definite volume but the ability to flow; they are only slightly compressible. Gases have particles that are far apart with large empty spaces between them, so when pressure is applied, these spaces can shrink significantly, making gases highly compressible. Therefore, among the options, the gaseous state is clearly the highly compressible one.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that solids have particles arranged in a closely packed and often ordered pattern with strong intermolecular forces. Step 2: Recognise that liquids have particles that are close together but not in fixed positions, giving them a definite volume but the ability to flow. Step 3: Understand that gases have particles widely spaced with weak intermolecular forces, moving freely in all directions. Step 4: Relate compressibility to the amount of empty space between particles: more empty space means more room for compression. Step 5: Conclude that since gases have the most empty space between particles, they are highly compressible, whereas solids and liquids are not.

Verification / Alternative check:
Practical observations support these ideas. When you try to compress a solid object such as a metal rod by pressing it with your hands, there is almost no visible change in volume. When you compress a liquid such as water in a syringe with a blocked outlet, the plunger can move only slightly. By contrast, air in a syringe can be compressed significantly by pushing the plunger, reducing its volume by a large fraction. Gas cylinders used in industry and medicine also demonstrate that large volumes of gas can be compressed into small containers. These real world examples confirm that gases are highly compressible compared to solids and liquids.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Solids are rigid and have very little free space between particles, so they cannot be compressed easily and are usually treated as incompressible in simple models. Liquids have more space between particles than solids but still much less than gases, making them only slightly compressible in practice. The option claiming that both solid and liquid are highly compressible is incorrect because neither state exhibits the large volume changes under pressure that gases do. Therefore, only the gaseous state fits the description of being highly compressible.

Common Pitfalls:
A common mistake is to think that liquids are highly compressible because they can flow easily, confusing fluidity with compressibility. Another pitfall is to assume that all states of matter can be compressed to the same degree, without considering the particle model. To avoid these errors, remember that compressibility depends on how much empty space exists between particles. Gases have the most empty space and are therefore highly compressible, liquids have limited space and are only slightly compressible, and solids have almost no empty space and are effectively incompressible under ordinary conditions.

Final Answer:
The state of matter that is highly compressible is gas, with particles far apart and moving freely.