Question

Matter around us can exist in three different states namely, solid, liquid and gas. Correct order of their compressibility is 

(a) liquid < gas < solid

(b) solid < liquid < gas

(c) gas < liquid < solid

(d) solid < gas < liquid

Answer 1

(b) solid < liquid < gas

The correct order of compressibility is solid < liquid < gas.

Gases are highly compressible as compared to solids and liquids. In gas the molecules have enough kinetic energy so that the effect of intermolecular forces is small and the typical distance between neighbouring molecules is much greater than the molecular size.