Compressing gas is easy. Gas particles move quickly and collide often with the walls of their container. A great deal of space exists between each particle. We can therefore push gas particles closer together so that they occupy some of the space in the container.
Only after we have compressed the gas will it exert enough pressure to push the other plunger out from the other end of the piston.
Piston compressing gas.
Liquids can not be easily compressed. Liquid particles, unlike gas particles, do not have much space between each particle. Pressure is quickly transferred along the liquid to the other side of the piston.
Liquid in a piston can not be compressed.
A gas can be turned into a liquid by compressing it under high pressure. Explain why.
Looking at the animations above, what are the differences between gas and liquid particles?