which state of matter are the particles least tightly arranged
The state of matter in which particles are least tightly arranged is the gas state. In a gas, particles have the most freedom of movement and are not held together by strong forces. They move randomly and quickly with large spaces between them.
The state of matter in which particles are least tightly arranged is the gaseous state. In gases, the particles (atoms or molecules) are in constant motion, and there is a significant amount of space between them.
To understand and determine this, you can look at the kinetic theory of gases. According to this theory, gases are made up of particles that are moving rapidly and randomly in all directions. The motion of these particles allows them to fill the entire container they are in, as they are not held together in a specific arrangement like in solids or liquids.
Additionally, gases have the ability to expand and compress easily. This is because the particles have enough space between them and are not strongly attracted or bound to each other. They can freely move around and occupy a larger volume if the container size increases, or occupy a smaller volume if the container size decreases.
It's important to note that in solids and liquids, the particles are more closely packed and have stronger intermolecular forces compared to gases. Solids have a fixed shape and volume, while liquids have a fixed volume but can change their shape. In both states, the particles have less freedom of movement and are more closely arranged than in gases.