States of matter Original Scenario-Based Practice

Questions

1. 1.

   Deep within a subterranean biosphere on an uncharted rogue planet, surveyor Lyra discovers a luminous blue substance oozing from a thermal fissure. When transferred into a spherical chamber, the sample maintains a fixed volume of exactly 250 milliliters but instantly conforms to the curved base without filling the remaining open space above it. When Lyra applies heavy mechanical pressure via a movable piston, the measured volume of the substance remains virtually unchanged. Based on these observed physical properties, in which state of matter does this mysterious substance exist under these conditions?

   • A) Solid, because it maintains a rigid crystalline lattice that resists any deformation or flow when transferred between vessels.
   • B) Gas, because its particles move completely independently and have sufficient kinetic energy to overcome all intermolecular attractions.
   • C) Liquid, because it possesses a definite volume and low compressibility while adopting the shape of the bottom of its container.
   • D) Plasma, because it consists of free thermal ions and detached electrons that expand to fill the entire container uniformly.

Answers and step-by-step solutions appear after you finish the test.