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Why are liquids more compressible than solids?

Matter can have a few different forms: solid, liquid, gas or plasma. Solids are characterized by strong intermolecular forces and low spacing between the molecules. Thus, they are able to maintain their shape. In comparison, liquids have weaker intermolecular forces and more spacing between the molecules. This provides fluidity to the liquids and they are able to take the shape of the container they are held in.  


The weaker intermolecular forces and higher intermolecular spacing is the reason liquids can be compressed more than solids. In comparison, solids will offer more resistance to compression.


Gases are the easiest to compress, in comparison to solids and liquids, since the gas molecules are very loosely bound to each other and the spacing between the particles is very large. That is why gases expand so quickly.


Hope this helps.  

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