* Particle arrangement: In a liquid, the particles are much closer together than in a gas. They are still in constant motion, but they are held together by stronger intermolecular forces.
* Compressibility: Liquids are much less compressible than gases. This means that the particles in a liquid cannot be squeezed as close together as the particles in a gas.
* Volume: Liquids have a definite volume, while gases take the shape and volume of their container. This means that liquids have a more fixed amount of matter in a given space.
Example: Think about water. Liquid water is denser than water vapor (steam). This is why ice floats – it is less dense than liquid water.
Exceptions:
There are some exceptions to this general rule. For example, under extreme pressure, a gas can become denser than a liquid. This happens in some stars and in certain industrial processes.
