# Explain why a liquid takes the shape of its container but cannot be compressed into a smaller volume.

> OCR GCSE Chemistry A: Gateway Science (J248) — C1.1 The particle model · Explain · 4 marks

> A nurse draws a liquid medicine into a syringe. When the nurse pushes the plunger with the needle blocked, the liquid does not compress. However, the liquid had previously poured freely into the syringe, filling the space available.

## Mark scheme (4 marks)

1. Particles in a liquid are close together / touching
2. There is no (significant) space between particles for them to move into, so the liquid cannot be compressed
3. Particles in a liquid are arranged randomly (not in a fixed/regular arrangement)
4. Particles can move past each other, allowing the liquid to flow and take the shape of the container

## Key terms

- [liquid](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/liquid)
- [compress](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/compress)

## Related

- [Revision notes for OCR GCSE Chemistry A: Gateway Science (J248)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/learn)
- [How to answer "Explain" questions](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/tools/command-word-cheatsheet)
- [Practice this with AI marking (free)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/start)

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Source: [GradeNine](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/q/explain-why-a-liquid-takes-the-ff00b445) · Published by Druglandscape Ltd.