Final answer:
Particles loosely packed and touching each other represent a liquid with a fixed volume and shape conforming to the container. Particles tightly packed in neat arrays symbolize a solid with a defined shape and volume. Few random particles indicate a gas that fills its container completely in both shape and volume.
Step-by-step explanation:
When identifying the state of matter represented by each particle model described, we can draw conclusions based on how the particles are arranged and their behavior:
- A container with a number of circles touching each other but loosely packed likely represents a liquid. In a liquid, particles are close together but can move past one another, which allows the liquid to take the shape of its container while maintaining a fixed volume.
- A container with a number of circles tightly packed in a neat array typically indicates a solid. Solids have tightly packed particles in a fixed arrangement, giving them a defined shape and volume that do not change to conform to the shape of the container.
- A container that holds a few random circles suggests a gas. Gaseous particles are spread out and will expand to fill their container, taking both the shape and volume of the container as they move freely in all directions.