Which state of matter has a definite volume but not a definite shape?

• A. Gas
• B. Liquid
• C. Solid
• D. Plasma

Answer: (B)

A substance with a definite volume but not a definite shape is a liquid. In a liquid, the particles are close enough to keep a specific amount of space, so the volume stays relatively constant. But they can slide past one another, so the liquid flows and reshapes to fit its container rather than holding a rigid form.

Compare this to a solid, which has both a definite shape and volume because its particles are tightly packed and only vibrate in place. A gas has neither definite shape nor definite volume because its particles are far apart and move freely to fill the space available. Plasma behaves similarly to a gas but is a highly energized, ionized state, so it also lacks a definite shape or volume. A good everyday example is water in a glass: it keeps its volume but takes on the shape of the glass.