What physical characteristic distinguishes a fluid from a solid?

Short Answer

Expert verified

Matter mainly exists in three forms such as solid, liquid and gas. Liquids and gases are able to flow and they are collectively known as Fluids.

Step by step solution

01

Step 1:Difference in characteristics of shape and volume

Solids and liquids have definite volume while volume of gases is indefinite. Solids have definite shape while liquids and gases do not have a fixed shape.

02

Effect of shearing force

Fluids change their shape according to the container in which they are occupied while solids remain in their fixed shape. Fluids are subjected to shearing force while solids won’t get deformed by shearing force.

So, the main distinguishing feature of a fluid from solid is its indefinite shape.

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