CHEMISTRY · Single correct · AP · Chemistry · Properties of Substances and Mixtures · Properties of Substances and Mixtures
Problem
Under equal external pressure changes, liquids exhibit far less volume change than gases. Which of the following statements best accounts for this difference in compressibility?
(a) Because liquids are much denser than gases, the external pressure is distributed over more molecules, so the force per molecule is smaller and the volume hardly changes.
(b) At constant temperature, liquids do not obey the ideal gas law, so their volume is essentially independent of pressure.
(c) Molecules in a liquid are already close together, leaving very little empty space to eliminate, so added pressure mainly strengthens intermolecular forces rather than reducing volume.
(d) The relatively high viscosity of liquids prevents their volume from decreasing appreciably when pressure is applied.