Which state of matter is characterized by particles that are far apart and move freely?

Gases are characterized by particles that are far apart and move freely. In this state of matter, the particles have enough kinetic energy to overcome intermolecular forces, allowing them to move independently of one another. This results in a significant amount of space between the particles, which is why gases can expand to fill the volume of their container.

In contrast, solids have closely packed particles that vibrate in fixed positions, leading to a definite shape and volume. Liquids have particles that are still relatively close together but can slide past one another, allowing liquids to take the shape of their container while retaining a fixed volume. Bose-Einstein condensates, on the other hand, are a state of matter formed at temperatures approaching absolute zero, where particles coalesce into a single quantum state, behaving more like a wave than individual particles, which is quite different from the free movement seen in gases.