Explain why a gas can be compressed.(Hint: Your answer should include the distance between the particles.)

A gas can be compressed because of the large amount of space between its particles. Here's a step-by-step explanation:

1. Gases are composed of a large number of particles (atoms or molecules) that are in constant, random motion.

2. Unlike solids and liquids, the particles in a gas are not closely packed together. Instead, they are spread out and occupy the entire volume of their container. This means there is a lot of empty space between the particles.

3. When pressure is applied to a gas, the particles are forced closer together. This is because the pressure essentially pushes the particles into the empty spaces between them.

4. This reduction in volume is what we refer to as compression. Because there is so much empty space between the particles in a gas, it can be compressed a great deal before the particles are forced close enough together to resist further compression.

5. Therefore, the compressibility of gases is due to the large distance between the particles.