Gases have neither definite shape nor definite volume. Explain.

Gases are one of the fundamental states of matter, alongside solids and liquids. They exhibit unique properties that make them different from the other two states, especially in terms of shape and volume.

Explanation:

Gases do not have a definite shape or a definite volume. This is because the particles (molecules) in a gas are very loosely packed and are in a constant state of random motion. The following points explain why gases behave this way:

• No Definite Shape:
  Gases have no fixed shape because their molecules move freely in all directions. They take the shape of the container they are kept in. For example, when you fill a gas in a cylinder or a balloon, it automatically spreads out and fills the available space.
• No Definite Volume:
  Gases also have no fixed volume because the distance between gas particles can change easily. They can be compressed to occupy less space or expand to occupy a larger space, depending on the size of the container.

Scientific Reason:

The molecules of a gas have high kinetic energy, which means they move rapidly and collide with each other and the walls of the container. These collisions cause the gas to exert pressure and fill the available space completely. Due to this random, high-speed movement, gases can neither retain a particular shape nor a particular volume.