What is true about the behavior of liquids in a container?

Prepare for the Alberta Trade Entrance Exam with flashcards and multiple-choice questions, featuring hints and explanations. Ace your exam!

Liquids have unique physical properties that dictate their behavior in a container. When a liquid is poured into a container, it assumes the shape of that container. This is due to the fluid nature of liquids, which allows the molecules to move freely and rearrange themselves without a defined structure. The intermolecular forces in liquids are strong enough to hold the molecules together while still allowing them to flow and take on the shape of their surroundings. Therefore, the statement that liquids expand to fit the container accurately describes this behavior.

In contrast, options that suggest that liquids retain their shape or only take up a fixed space do not apply to liquids, as they lack a definite shape and can occupy varying volumes depending on the container. The assertion that liquids evaporate quickly can also be misleading, as the rate of evaporation depends on numerous factors such as temperature and surface area, not an inherent characteristic of liquids themselves. Thus, the emphasis on how liquids conform to the shape of their containers is key to understanding their behavior.

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