Properties of Matter States

Steps:

• Recall that matter exists in solid, liquid, and gas states with distinct shape and volume properties.
• Solids maintain fixed shape and volume due to strong intermolecular forces.
• Liquids have weaker forces, allowing them to flow and adapt shape but resist compression, keeping volume fixed.
• Gases expand to fill containers, having neither fixed shape nor volume.

Why C is correct:

• Liquids conform to the container's shape (variable shape) while maintaining nearly constant volume under standard pressure, as defined by the kinetic molecular theory.

Why the others are wrong:

• A describes solids, which resist deformation.
• B is incorrect; no state has fixed shape but variable volume.
• D describes gases, which compress and expand.

Final answer: C