Question

which state of matter has a definite volume but takes the shape of the part of the container it occupies?

Explanation:

To determine the state of matter with a definite volume but taking the container's shape, we analyze the properties:

• Solids have definite volume and shape (like the right - most diagram with closely packed particles in a fixed arrangement).
• Gases have neither definite volume nor shape (like the middle diagram with widely spaced particles moving freely).
• Liquids have a definite volume (they don't compress easily to change volume) but take the shape of their container (the particles are close enough to maintain volume but can flow, as shown in the left - most diagram with particles that can spread out to fill the bottom of the container).

The question asks for the state with definite volume and taking the container's shape, which is a liquid. The left - most diagram represents a liquid as its particles are close (definite volume) and can flow to take the container's shape at the bottom.

Answer:

The Left Graph (representing liquid)