Which of the following describes a property of a solid?

A property of a solid is that its particles are tightly packed and vibrate in place. This characteristic is key to understanding the structural integrity and form of solids. Unlike liquids and gases, where particles can move freely or are spread out to fill a container, the particles in a solid are closely arranged in a fixed structure. This close packing contributes to the solidity and rigidity of the material, making it retain a definite shape and volume.

The vibration of the particles in place is a manifestation of the thermal energy present in the solid; they do not have enough energy to break free from their fixed positions but can still move slightly due to thermal motion. This type of arrangement accounts for many properties of solids, such as their inability to flow and their resistance to compression.