Why is plasticine a solid? (3 Marks)A plasticine has a definite volume but no definite shape as it can be moulded to take different shapes. But it...

By definition solids have their own shape and volume,
whereas liquids have only their own volume. Liquids take the shape of the container in
which they are poured, solids do not do this. This happens because of the strength of
the intermolecular forces that are present in both solids and liquids. In solids the
intermolecular forces are extremely strong, whereas in liquids these forces are somewhat
smaller. Thus the distance between molecules that compose a liquid is higher than in
solids. Because of this the molecules in liquids have some degrees of freedom (they can
rotate, vibrate and also translate one with respect to the other). This is why the
liquids take the form of the recipient that contains
them.

Plasticine although it can be modeled changing easily
its shape, it has its own particular shape when left alone, shape that it keeps over
time. When placed into a container it does not change its form on its own to take the
container shape.