How does the expansion of solids compare to that of liquids?

The expansion of solids compared to that of liquids primarily hinges on the differences in their molecular structures and behaviors. Solids have tightly packed molecules that are held in place by strong intermolecular forces, which means that when they are heated, the molecules do vibrate more vigorously but can only move within their fixed positions. This limited movement results in relatively small expansion when compared to liquids.

In contrast, liquids have molecules that are not held in fixed positions; they are more loosely arranged and can move past one another. When heated, the increased kinetic energy allows the molecules in a liquid to spread out more significantly, leading to greater expansion compared to solids.

Thus, the behavior of solids demonstrates that they generally expand less than liquids as temperature increases, which is reflective of the fundamental differences in their molecular structure and behavior under heat.