Final answer:
The atoms in a liquid are closely packed and can move to overcome attractions, allowing liquids to flow and assume the shape of their containers.
Step-by-step explanation:
The atoms in a liquid are closely packed but move quickly enough to overcome the forces of attraction between them. Unlike in a solid where the atoms are held in fixed positions, in a liquid, the atoms or molecules can slide over one another while still being closely packed. This mobility allows liquids to flow and take the shape of their containers while having a definite volume that is resistant to compression due to the intermolecular forces holding them together.