Question

Which postulate best explains why a gas can be compressed?

1) Particles of a gas are in rapid, constant motion and move in straight lines.
2) The particles of a gas are tiny compared with the distances between them.
3) Because the particles of a gas are so far apart, there is very little attraction between them.
4) Particles of a gas collide with one another. Energy is conserved in these collisions; energy lost by one particle is gained by the other.
5) Temperature is a measure of the average kinetic energy of the gas particles.

Answer 1

The particles of a gas are tiny compared with the distances between them. This allows gases to be compressed easily.

Step-by-step explanation:

The postulate that best explains why a gas can be compressed is: The particles of a gas are tiny compared with the distances between them. This assumption of the kinetic-molecular theory of gases states that the particles of a gas are separated by large distances, with the size of a gas particle being tiny compared to the distances that separate them.

Because of this, gases can be easily compressed, as there is a lot of empty space between the particles that allows for the compression.