Why do liquids flow?

A.
Liquid particles are wet.

B.
Liquid particles are smooth.

C.
Liquid particles are not fixed in place.

D.
Liquid particles are attracted to each other.

Question

Why do liquids flow?  
 
 

 
 

  

  A. 
  Liquid particles are wet.   
   

 
 

  

  B. 
  Liquid particles are smooth.   
   

 
 

  

  C. 
  Liquid particles are not fixed in place.   
   

 
 

  

  D. 
  Liquid particles are attracted to each other.

theeric · Answer

I would say that one answer is a safe bet, just based on the definition of flowing. This question, if I interpret it correctly, would be better suited to having the word "flow" be replaced by "move."

However, the exact definition of "flow" allows two nicely specific options, while the definition of "move" allows only one (and it is one of the two for flow).

If the question intends to ask why it flows, rather than just moving, you're down to one option. But that seems like bad wording, huh? Definitely when one option is indeed true in either case?

theeric · Answer

Do you have a guess?

theeric · Answer

Or rather, what seems to make this problem difficult? Is it multiple correct options, not understanding all options? Seeing some options as alike? Not knowing if an option is acceptable? Those are usually normal issues, I think.

theeric · Answer

I would say that one choice is sort of irrelevant. Care to guess which one that is?

theeric · Answer

(hint: one of the first two!)

theeric · Answer

@FireBalls is having technical difficulties responding to this post. We communicated via messaging and I will now post what I said, so that others might learn or debate. I'm honestly not sure how to answer this, as I see two answers to be justifiably the best response.

theeric · Answer

And yeah, (A) is just like.. well that doesn't explain it! And then I'll tell you this: the smoothness doesn't matter either. They are just loose, free-flying molecules. Nothing that you can call smooth, like ice. So, two down. And now you can enter my own debate. (C) must be true. That's just the definition. If something is fixed, it is not moving. And so, liquid particles are (C) not fixed in place. However, (D) might sometimes be true, and it describes why we would say "flow" rather than "move".



So, I would say (C), because it is not debatable. However, (D) would be my second choice. It asks about flow, which describes the liquid -moving -staying together -unbroken form When you approach this question, (C) has to be true either way.



My issue is that C doesn't necessarily describe it all.