Final answer:
The property of a liquid in which its particles are close together and move randomly indicates that liquids have a definite volume but conform to the shape of their containers, due to the fluid movement of particles within.
Step-by-step explanation:
Which property of a liquid is correct? The answer is: b) its particles are close together and move randomly. This is a fundamental characteristic of the liquid state. Liquids maintain close contact between particles, giving them a definite volume. However, unlike solids, the particles in a liquid are not fixed in place, they can move past each other, which allows liquids to take the shape of their containers but not a definite shape of their own.
The description mentioned underlines that in a liquid, particles have enough energy to partially overcome intermolecular interactions, enabling movement while still remaining in contact with one another. Liquids are characterized by having fixed volumes, determined by the strength of these intermolecular forces, but the lack of a fixed shape allows them to conform to the shape of their containers. Indeed, properties of liquids include fluidity and relatively high density compared to gases, stemming from the particles being closely spaced, but less so compared to solids.