Which state of matter has a definite shape and volume?

The state of matter that has a definite shape and volume is solid. In a solid, the particles are closely packed together in a fixed arrangement, which allows them to maintain a specific shape without the need for a container. The strong intermolecular forces in solids keep the particles in place, preventing them from moving freely, which is why solids do not conform to the shape of their container, unlike liquids and gases.

In contrast, liquids have a definite volume but take the shape of their container, while gases do not have a definite shape or volume and expand to fill the entire space available to them. Plasma, another state of matter, consists of ionized gases and also does not have a definite shape or volume. This understanding of the properties of different states of matter is fundamental in chemistry, as it helps explain how substances behave under various conditions.