Introduction Liquid

thermal image of sink full of hot water cold water being added, showing how hot , cold water flow each other.

liquid 1 of 4 primary states of matter, others being solid, gas , plasma. liquid fluid. unlike solid, molecules in liquid have greater freedom move. forces bind molecules in solid temporary in liquid, allowing liquid flow while solid remains rigid.

a liquid, gas, displays properties of fluid. liquid can flow, assume shape of container, and, if placed in sealed container, distribute applied pressure evenly every surface in container. if liquid placed in bag, can squeezed shape. unlike gas, liquid incompressible, occupies constant volume on wide range of pressures; not expand fill available space in container forms own surface, , may not mix readily liquid. these properties make liquid suitable applications such hydraulics.

liquid particles bound firmly not rigidly. able move around 1 freely, resulting in limited degree of particle mobility. temperature increases, increased vibrations of molecules causes distances between molecules increase. when liquid reaches boiling point, cohesive forces bind molecules closely break, , liquid changes gaseous state (unless superheating occurs). if temperature decreased, distances between molecules become smaller. when liquid reaches freezing point molecules lock specific order, called crystallizing, , bonds between them become more rigid, changing liquid solid state (unless supercooling occurs).