What is a solid characterized by?

A solid is characterized by having a definite shape and a definite volume, which distinguishes it from other states of matter. The particles in a solid are closely packed together, which allows them to maintain a fixed structure. Although these particles are not rigidly locked in place, they do vibrate in place, meaning they have limited movement, primarily confined to small vibrations around fixed positions. This structural arrangement is what gives solids their characteristic properties, such as being incompressible and maintaining their shape without the influence of external forces.

In contrast, the other definitions outline characteristics of liquids or gases, where particles may have more kinetic energy and are less tightly packed, resulting in different behaviors in terms of shape and volume. For instance, liquids have a definite volume but no definite shape, and gases have neither a definite shape nor volume and consist of free-moving particles. The state of matter that changes easily signifies a property inherent to gases or some liquids, as solids generally maintain their state under standard conditions.