Which state of matter has a definite volume but no definite shape?

Prepare for the Sonography Entrance Exam. Study with quizzes and multiple choice questions, each featuring hints and thorough explanations. Excel on your test!

The state of matter characterized by having a definite volume but no definite shape is liquid. In this state, the particles are closely packed together but can move past each other, allowing liquids to take the shape of their container while maintaining a fixed volume. This behavior differentiates liquids from solids, which have both a definite shape and volume, and from gases, which have neither a definite volume nor shape, expanding to fill their container. Plasma, on the other hand, is an ionized state of matter primarily found in stars, including the sun, and also does not have a definite shape or volume. Understanding the properties of each state of matter helps clarify why liquids neatly fit the criteria of having a fixed volume while taking on the shape of their surroundings.

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