The molecules of a substance are moving rapidly in a container. The molecules do not interact with each other. If the container is opened, the molecules will escape from the container. In what phase of matter are the molecules in the container?

A) plasma

B) gas

C) liquid

D) solid

Answer: The molecules in the container are of gaseous state.

Explanation:

There are 4 states of matter:

Solid state: Here, the particles are closely packed and they do not have any intermolecular space between them. Thus, this state of matter has the highest intermolecular forces of attraction between them. The particles do not have enough kinetic energy. Liquid state: Here, the particles are present in random and irregular pattern. The particles are closely arranged but they can move from one place to another. The intermolecular forces between the particles are less as compared to the solid state. They have enough kinetic energy to move. Gaseous state: Here, the particles are loosely arranged and have a lot of space between them. Thus, this state of matter has the lowest intermolecular forces of attraction between them. They have the highest kinetic energy. Plasma state: Here, a hot ionized gas consisting of equal number of positively charged ions and negatively charged electrons are present.

We are given:

The molecules of a substance are moving rapidly. This means that they have high kinetic energy. Also, the molecules do not interact with each other. This means that they have a lot of intermoelcular spaces between them.

Hence, the molecules in the container are of gaseous state.

B-) GAS

Based on the description, the substance must be taking the shape of its container and expanding to fill the container. The only phase of matter which does this is the gas phase.