Liquid State

The liquid state lies between the gaseous and the solid state. Liquids are neither completely disordered nor completely ordered. The cohesive forces between the liquid particles are strong enough to keep them together but these particles do not occupy fixed lattice sites and are relatively more free as compared to the particles in solids.

In terms of kinetic molecular model, the nature of the liquid state can be described as follows:

• Liquids are composed of molecules that are relatively closer than gases.

• Appreciable intermolecular forces hold the molecules of liquids together.

• Due to weak intermolecular forces, the molecules are in constant random motion.

• The average kinetic energy of molecules in a given sample is proportional to the absolute temperature.

It may be noted that the nature and magnitude of intermolecular forces decide the structure of a liquid and also its characteristic properties.