Final answer:
The liquid state, as explained by the kinetic-molecular theory, is where particles can move around each other due to sufficient kinetic energy but remain in close contact because of intermolecular forces, resulting in a definite volume but no fixed shape.
Step-by-step explanation:
Kinetic-Molecular Theory of the Liquid State
According to the kinetic-molecular theory, the liquid state is characterized by particles that have enough energy to partially overcome their intermolecular interactions. Despite these interactions, particles within a liquid can move around each other, allowing the liquid to take the shape of its container. However, because particles in a liquid are still in close contact, they do not compress easily, giving liquids a definite volume.
In liquids, the kinetic energy of the particles allows them to slide past one another smoothly, changing neighbors due to their mobility, while the intermolecular forces maintain the overall cohesion. This energetic state is more dynamic compared to a solid but less energetic than a gas, where the particles are much further apart. The properties of liquids, therefore, are a balance between the kinetic energy of the particles and the intermolecular forces present.